Imagine a bird so rare, it’s been called the 'last of its kind'—a living link to the infamous dodo. Now, picture it being spotted in a remote Samoan rainforest, sparking hope that this critically endangered species might just have a fighting chance. But here’s where it gets controversial: while conservationists celebrate these sightings, the manumea’s survival hangs by a thread, and not everyone agrees on the best way to save it.
The manumea (Didunculus strigirostris), a chicken-sized bird with the endearing scientific name 'little dodo,' is the sole surviving member of its genus. Recent surveys by the Samoa Conservation Society (SCS) have recorded five sightings in the Uafato rainforest—a significant leap from previous surveys, which often yielded none. These glimpses, though fleeting, are a beacon of hope. 'What happens if we can’t find the bird? Does that mean the manumea is no more?' asks Moeumu Uili, a project coordinator with SCS. Her concern is palpable, as the last confirmed photograph of the bird in the wild dates back to 2013.
Spotting the manumea is one thing; capturing it on camera is another. The bird’s elusive nature, combined with its quick movements and the dense rainforest environment, makes photography a challenge. 'All of a sudden, it appears out of nowhere,' Uili explains. 'By the time we lower our binoculars to grab a camera, it’s gone.'
And this is the part most people miss: the manumea’s plight mirrors that of its extinct cousin, the dodo. Both birds faced—or face—the same threats: habitat loss, hunting, and invasive predators. While hunting has been outlawed in Samoa, invasive species like feral cats and rats remain the primary danger. Cats prey on adult birds and chicks, while rats devour eggs and nestlings. 'The impact on manumea is certainly catastrophic,' says Joe Wood, manager of International Conservation Programs at the Toledo Zoo. 'Feral cats are a major cause of decline, and there has to be some kind of control program.'
But controlling invasive species is easier said than done. SCS is already managing invasive populations in Samoa’s Malololelei Recreation Reserve, but expanding these efforts to other forests like Uafato requires funding. Meanwhile, conservationists are exploring innovative solutions, such as biobanking—preserving biological samples to study the manumea’s genetic material and potentially establish captive breeding programs.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Colossal Biosciences, the nonprofit behind efforts to 'de-extinct' species like the dire wolf, is supporting manumea conservation. They’re developing an app to identify the manumea’s unique call, aiming to better estimate its population. But should we be resurrecting extinct species like the dodo? Nic Rawlence, an associate professor at the University of Otago, warns that reintroducing species into ecosystems that have evolved in their absence could have unintended consequences. 'You must bring back enough individuals to ensure genetic diversity,' he explains, referencing the '500-rule' in conservation.
So, here’s the burning question: Is it enough to focus on predator control and habitat restoration, or should we embrace cutting-edge technologies like de-extinction? While Rawlence and Wood emphasize the importance of 'grunt work'—controlling predators and restoring habitats—others argue that genetic solutions could offer a second chance for species like the manumea. What do you think? Is de-extinction a risky gamble, or a necessary tool in our conservation arsenal?
The race to save the manumea is supported by a coalition of organizations, including SCS, BirdLife International, the Colossal Foundation, and the Toledo Zoo. Their efforts highlight the urgency of protecting this unique bird before it’s too late. After all, losing the manumea wouldn’t just mean the end of a species—it would mean the extinction of an entire genus, a piece of our planet’s biodiversity forever gone.
What’s your take? Are we doing enough to save species like the manumea, or is it time to rethink our approach? Let us know in the comments below.
