An entire colony of a rare breed of albatross, previously resident at Kuaokala in the Hawaiian Wai’anae mountains, has disappeared.

Up to 50 birds made up the Laysan albatross colony, which has taken 20 years to grow to this size (press release). In February, the last time the colony was checked by biologists, 15 chicks, 6 nests with eggs and 20 adults were in the colony, Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources says.

Not only have 50 birds gone missing, there are no remains left – which would be expected if the birds had been attacked by pigs or dogs. No mention is made of mice, which were caught red-handed eating albatross chicks alive in 2005.

The closely-guarded wording in the press releases seems to suggest that humans are to blame: “The lack of carcasses and the absence of adults on the colony, who come back even when chicks are not present, suggest that human interference cannot be ruled out as the cause of this colony’s rapid demise.”

The Honolulu Advertiser is so far the only outfit to report on the mystery with not one, but two stories. You can help, though. If you were in the vicinity between February 13th and March 23rd this year, and noticed anything suspicious, you should contact the DLNR, phone number is in the press release.

Image: US Fish and Wildlife Service