Critically Endangered Bird Believed Dead Spotted Alive in Hawaiian Islands

On the slopes of a Maui volcano last Wednesday, a golden, thick-billed bird assumed to have passed away more than 1.5 years prior was spotted alive. According to Newsweek, the discovery is providing scientists hope for the critically endangered species.

As with the others, this bird has been exposed to illness, but has managed to survive, according to Dr. Hanna Moucne of the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project. "Considering that we still have time to preserve them, this is an incredible indication of optimism for the species. This is an encouraging indicator for the future survival of kiwikiu and other native forest birds in landscapes that have been restored, especially in the absence of sickness and insects.