Long revered by Hawaiians as a spirit guide, the alala has disappeared from the wild. A few still survive in captivity. In this accessible text, Walters describes the series of missteps made by concerned scientists, landowners, and government officials that not only failed to save the raven from extinction, but ultimately hastened its demise. Walters (journalism, U. of South Florida) is a contributing editor of Orion magazine. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Will the 'Alala ever return to the wild? A bird sacred to Hawaiians and a member of the raven family, the 'Alala today survives only in captivity. How the species once flourished, how it has been driven to near-extinction, and how people struggled to save it, is the gripping story of Seeking the Sacred Raven.
For years, author Mark Jerome Walters has tracked the sacred bird's role in Hawaiian culture and the indomitable 'Alala's sad decline. Trekking through Hawaii's rain forests high on Mauna Loa, talking with biologists, landowners, and government officials, he has woven an epic tale of missed opportunities and the best intentions gone awry. A species that once numbered in the thousands is now limited to about 50 captive birds.
Seeking the Sacred Raven is as much about people and culture as it is about failed policies. From the ancient Polynesians who first settled the island, to Captain Cook in the 18th century, to would-be saviors of the 'Alala in the 1990s, individuals with conflicting passions and priorities have shaped Hawaii and the fate of this dwindling cloud-forest species.
Walters captures brilliantly the internecine politics among private landowners, scientists, environmental groups, individuals and government agencies battling over the bird's habitat and protection. It's only one species, only one bird, but Seeking the Sacred Raven illustrates vividly the many dimensions of species loss, for the human as well as non-human world.
Will the 'Alala ever return to the wild? A bird sacred
to Hawaiians and a member of the raven family, the
'Alala today survives only in captivity. How the
species once flourished, how it has been driven to
near-extinction, and how people struggled to save it,
is the gripping story of Seeking the Sacred Raven.
For years, author Mark Jerome Walters has tracked
the sacred bird's role in Hawaiian culture and the
indomitable 'Alala's sad decline. Trekking through
Hawaii's rain forests high on Mauna Loa, talking with biologists,
landowners, and government officials, he has woven an epic tale of
missed opportunities and the best intentions gone awry.A species that
once numbered in the thousands is now limited to about 50 captive birds.
Seeking the Sacred Raven is as much about people and culture as it is
about failed policies. From the ancient Polynesians who first settled the
island, to Captain Cook in the 18th century, to would-be saviors of the
'Alala in the 1990s, individuals with conflicting passions and priorities
have shaped Hawaii and the fate of this dwindling cloud-forest species.
Walters captures brilliantly the internecine politics among private
landowners, scientists, environmental groups, individuals and government
agencies battling over the bird's habitat and protection. It's only
one species, only one bird, but Seeking the Sacred Raven illustrates
vividly the many dimensions of species loss, for the human as well as
non-human world
