Scientists were racing to save this rare bird from extinction. Then came the super typhoon.

Super Typhoon Bavi devastated a conservation programme for the Mariana crow, a rare bird found only on Guam and Rota. The storm destroyed outdoor aviaries on Rota, but researchers rescued most of the birds in their care, protecting decades of work to restore a species that is important to both the island’s forest and CHamoru culture.

The team moved 13 crows into makeshift indoor aviaries before the Category 5 storm struck. Of the nine birds they could not capture, two died and one was found emaciated with a minor wing injury; the impact on the wider wild population is still being assessed. About 300 Mariana crows remain, and the damaged facility was still without power when Category 4 Typhoon Champi passed through in October.