Repairing nearly 2 miles of vandalized fencing surrounding Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve will cost $109,680, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Repairing nearly 2 miles of vandalized fencing surrounding Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve will cost $109,680, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The fence at the 18,730-acre reserve in the Puna and South Hilo districts is used to keep ungulates away from native plants.
DLNR said in a press release Tuesday the damage was discovered during regular inspections. Vandals cut through multiple sections of the fence at 16- to 32-foot intervals.
“This damage was done in one day and the cost estimate does not include the labor cost needed to remove ungulates that may have slipped through the damaged portions of the fence,” said natural area reserve specialist Nick Agorastos.
A first-degree criminal property damage case was filed, DLNR said.