Caption: USFWS Refuge System @USFWSRefuges – Nene hatchings on James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge are first in [Oahu] Hawaii in centuries http://bit.ly/1jBxFrT pic.twitter.com/PK2l9PVa3v (this photo taken on Kaui, at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge). Photograph by Brenda Zaun/USFWS/Flickr Creative Commons
Bones found on Oahu show they once thrived there. A few birds — blown off course again, or looking for more territory? — moved to Oahu a few months ago, and have raised young. Scientists are watching to see how it works out.
With short name featuring only two different letters, “Nene” is a popular crossword answer, and clue. Some ornithologists half-joke that the familiarity among crossword enthusiasts was a huge aid in getting aid for the wild populations of the bird, and in getting the Endangered Species Act passed into law.
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I remember visiting the Kortwright Waterfowl Refuge (near Guelph, in Ontario) back in the early 70s, when nene were much scarcer. As soon as we walked through the gate, a small flock of nene spotted us and came running over, with that funny rolling run that geese have, to see if perhaps we had some food for them or something like that. They spent some time mingling with our group before going off to do other things. I remember feeling what a special experience this was – a few of the remaining members of nearly-extinct species, walking around at my feet, still here, still trusting. And you’re right, Ed, they are beautiful birds, even more so in the flesh and close up.
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[…] Nene, once again more than just a crossword answer These great looking geese, known as Nene, are thought to have descended from Canada geese blown off course; once they were common on many of the Hawaiian Islands, but by 1952 there were only 30 le… […]
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