The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife will conduct animal control on Mauna Kea on Oct. 15-16, Nov. 16-17 and Dec. 14-15.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife will conduct animal control on Mauna Kea on Oct. 15-16, Nov. 16-17 and Dec. 14-15.
According to a written DLNR statement, activities specifically will include trapping of mouflon/feral sheep hybrids, staff hunting and/or aerial shooting from helicopters for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids within critical palila habitat in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve and the Ka‘ohe Game Management Area.
Aerial shooting is required for compliance with the federal court order mandating the removal of ungulates from critical habitat for palila, a bird endemic to Hawaii.
Public access to Mauna Kea Forest Reserve from Waikahalulu Gulch north to Kemole, and east to Pu‘u Kole, Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve, Ka‘ohe Game Management Area and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted and allowed by permit for animal salvage purposes on the following dates and times:
• 7 a.m. Oct. 15, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14.
• 6 a.m. Oct. 16, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15.