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Midway Atoll Emergency Rescue

by Vicky Kometani
Kohala Mountain News
September 2008

Linda Elliott and Laysan Duck

Wildlife Biologist and North Kohala resident Linda Elliott was on R&R in Oregon, surrounded by amazing natural beauty and wildlife when she begrudgingly turned on her cell phone.  There was an urgent message that she was needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Health Center at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. There was an outbreak of avian botulism that had already caused the death of at least 145 rare Laysan Ducks. 

Elliott rushed back to Hawaii where she helped gather critical supplies, such as mealworms from the Honolulu Zoo, Ensure, Pediolyte and ingredients for a high calorie slurry diet that Elliott had developed. Elliott also obtained funding from the International Fund for Animal Welfare and arranged to participate as a member of the Fund’s Emergency Relief team.

It is warm and humid at Midway at this time of year so Elliott knew to pack field clothing appropriate for the weather, a headlamp for getting around at night (there are no streetlights on Midway), binoculars for wetland surveys, and a camera. She also brought along reports from previous responses she had managed including an avian botulism outbreak response at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park in 1994.

Laysan Ducks had been introduced to Midway Atoll in 2004 and 2005 in order establish a second viable population of this very rare duck species. The principal fear had been that disease or a major storm event at Laysan Island could wipe out the last of the species, so establishing the Midway population was a hedge against extinction. The transplanted population was growing well until the botulism event that started the first week of August.

The Refuge staff eagerly awaited Elliott’s arrival, grateful for the additional help. They were exhausted from nearly two weeks of working nonstop on the response. Once on island, Elliott went to work feeding and treating the two dozen ducks under hands-on care. Veterinarian/Wildlife Disease Specialist Dr. Thierry Work,  who arrived on the same flight, began his research to confirm the diagnosis and assist in habitat management activities to control the outbreak.

According to Elliott, avian botulism occurs throughout the Hawaiian archipelago and can show up at any wetland under the right, but not well understood, environmental conditions. It is a bacterium that produces a toxin that causes paralysis. Warm temperatures, poor water exchange and high amounts of protein medium such as dead invertebrates or vertebrates are thought to be contributing factors. It is usually seen in summer months when there is lower rain and higher temperatures. Invertebrates consume the bacteria and then birds eat the invertebrates (insects, worms, maggots and other larvae). Signs of paralysis begin to show. Unable to walk or fly, the birds’  eyelids droop and they are eventually unable to hold up their heads. The birds can then drown or the paralysis can progress and stop vital organs.

On Midway, the ducks were treated with an anti-toxin injection provided by Dr. Work. They were then provided with hydration to help flush out the toxin and given nutrients and time to allow the effects of the toxin to lessen. Once the ducks were able to feed themselves and were in good weight and behavior, they were banded and released at specific sites chosen for the lowest risk of re-exposure. The entire process would take anywhere from 3 to10 days for each duck.

Response team members patrolled the more than 14 wetland seeps each day to search for sick or dead ducks. The Refuge drained the main wetland and flushed several others with fresh water provided by the fire department's truck on the Atoll.

Linda Elliott and Laysan DuckCould anything like this outbreak happen in Kohala to perhaps the endangered Koloa or migratory shorebirds like the Pacific Golden Plover or Kolea?  “Yes,” says Elliott. “Avian botulism on the Big Island could also affect the endangered Nene, Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian moorhen along with migratory ducks.”

For these reasons and more, Elliott, who is president of the Hawaii Wildlife Center, says the goal of the HWC when opened is to train wildlife biologists side by side with community members to respond to emergencies such as this so there is a pool of trained response personnel for all islands. Training would also be a means to improve on response protocols for each of Hawaii’s unique and threatened species.

The trip to Midway Atoll for Elliott was her fourth. In spite of the circumstance, she always finds it to be an amazing place with literally thousands of seabirds and shorebirds, spectacular lagoons and pristine ocean conditions. Ever-present however is the challenge to rid the island of major weed plants that affect wildlife habitats. Volunteers come to the Refuge on a rotational basis, staying for a month or two to help out.  A small beach restaurant and bar and a small store for basic items (open just a half an hour each day) keeps everyone focused on their main purpose for being at the Refuge. 

In a letter written after the response, Dr. Work expressed gratitude for Elliott’s assistance during the Midway avian botulism outbreak, Dr. Work remarked upon Elliott’s dedication and skills which were critical to facilitating the recovery and successful release of many of the endangered Laysan ducks.

The endangered Laysan duck is considered the rarest native waterfowl in the United States. They were once widespread across the Hawaiian Islands, but by 1860, they were extirpated from all but Laysan Island, part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge

The Hawaii Wildlife Center, to be built in North Kohala, is dedicated to the care and conservation of Hawaii's threatened wildlife through hands-on treatment, research, training, and cultural & educational programs. Fundraising efforts are underway for the 501c (3) non-profit corporation. Continued and ongoing support is needed. For more information or to make a donation, contact Linda Elliott, HWC president, at (808) 889-5180 or by email.

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