Threatened birds relocated to refuge ADVERTISING Threatened birds relocated to refuge HONOLULU (AP) — Researchers are observing young birds taken from their nests in Kauai’s rugged mountains as part of a decadeslong effort to protect one of Hawaii’s threatened native
Threatened birds relocated to refuge
HONOLULU (AP) — Researchers are observing young birds taken from their nests in Kauai’s rugged mountains as part of a decadeslong effort to protect one of Hawaii’s threatened native species.
The Newell’s Shearwater chicks were taken from their home on the island’s north shore in the Upper Limahuli Preserve on Monday. They were moved out of the area via helicopter and brought to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where they will remain until they leave as adults and fly out to sea.
Researchers say the move will help keep the shearwaters from facing some of the challenges they experience in the wild.
The population of shearwaters has been on the decline in recent years, in part because of predators such as cats and pigs.
At the refuge, the shearwaters have been placed in nest boxes designed to mimic their natural burrows. They will be hand-fed fish and squid.
No parole for defendant in airman slaying
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 38-year-old ex-convict was sentenced Tuesday to life in Nevada state prison without parole for taking part in a murder plot by a mother of four to kill her husband, a U.S. Air Force service member from Guam, for his life insurance worth $650,000.
Corry Hawkins’ attorney, Andrea Luem, asked Tuesday for leniency and a chance for her client to one day seek parole in the December 2010 shooting death of Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet.
But Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon said he was convinced Hawkins helped plan the murder as well as accompanying Michael Rodriguez when Rodriguez gunned Nathan Paet down in his garage.
Hawkins pleaded guilty in October 2015 to murder, conspiracy, burglary and possession of a weapon by an ex-felon.
The wife, Michelle Antwanette Paet, and Rodriguez, her boyfriend and co-conspirator, were later convicted in separate trials of first-degree murder and other charges. They are each now also serving life sentences without parole.
Paet, 28, who served in Iraq, was an F-15 supply technician with the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base outside Las Vegas. He was preparing to drive to work when he was shot five times.
Hawkins’ former girlfriend, Jessica Austin, pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to commit murder. Her sentencing is pending.
