Photo:Hawaii DLNR
Human lives were not the only ones threatened by the Maui wildfires.
Numerous animals, many of which are critically endangered, were put at great risk from the disaster.
Before the flames got too close, however, a zookeeper stepped up and demonstrated inspiring bravery.
Photo:Hawaii DLNR
A security camera from Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resourcescaptured the entire event.
In that moment, our instincts kicked in and we knew what we had to do, Pribblesays.
The goal was to keep the fire from spreading toward the aviaries.
Photo (left): The Hawaiian crow or ‘alalā, which has been extinct in the wild since 2002. There are about 114 crows kept on Hawaiian reserves. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)Photo (right): The Hawaiian honeycreeper, or ‘akikiki, is critically endangered with just 5 wild birds remaining.(Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The grass surrounding the animals was in an extremely dry condition, making the aviaries particularly vulnerable.
Pribble knew that she had to stop the fire before it got too close.
There are also Hawaiian honeycreepers, also known as akikiki, of which there are about five remaining.
Fortunately, thanks to Pribble’s quick actions, the fire was successfully stopped before it reached the aviary.
Soon after she used the hose, the fire department assisted in holding off the fire.
Now, the aim is to move the birds to a safe location.
More efforts are underway in aiding injured and displaced animals from the disaster.
However, they were already at capacity before the wildfires, so their resources are strained.
There are about 114 crows kept on Hawaiian reserves.
The Maui Humane Society is asking for donations to help reunite lost and found pets with their families.
