Endangered bird euthanized after being found ‘emaciated,’ missing part of its beak

HILO, Hawai‘i (KHON2) — A Hawaiian hawk, or ‘io, was euthanized after being found “emaciated” and missing part of its beak on Hawai‘i Island.

Recently, a woman reported finding the injured bird on her property near Mountain View. According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the bird was missing the upper portion of its beak.

“Examination of the hawk determined the injury wasn’t natural, but human caused,” DLNR said. “No longer able to feed itself, the bird had to be euthanized.”

A wildlife biologist with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) retrieved the bird and transferred it to the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center (HWC).

The week before the injured ‘io was reported, the HWC also received a tip about a Craigslist post offering a free hawk in Mountain View. DLNR officials said the bird in the post had similar features to the one that was euthanized, but it had its full beak. Wildlife officials said it is not yet “determined if the two incidents are related.”

Raymond McGuire, a DOFAW wildlife biologist, encouraged community members to report potential abuses of endangered species, including Hawaiian hawks, which have state protection in Hawai‘i. That means that it is illegal to harm, kill or disrupt the animals, the DLNR said.

“We’ve received several reports in recent years of shootings and other harmful misconduct aimed at Hawaiian hawks,” McGuire said. “We can all contribute to the protection of our native ʻio and stop the trend of abuse if we keep our eyes open and speak up.”

The Hawaiian hawk, or ‘io, is an endangered species of bird that is found only on the island of Hawai‘i, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The species has been considered to be endangered since 1967.

If you suspect illegal activity, you can call the DLNR enforcement hotline at 808-643-3567 or use the DLNRTip app.