#hawaiian short eared owl

The Hawai’i State Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are conducting simultaneous research on the Big Island to study the range and behaviors of the ‘io, also known as the Hawaiian hawk. 

Authorities say they decided to put the animal to sleep to prevent continued suffering, as it would likely require pain medication for the rest of its life.

DOFAW biologists transported the injured pueo to the airport to be loaded on a Hawaiian Airlines jet for the short flight to Kona on Hawai‘i island.