“We hope the people of Hawaii will help by keeping all cats inside, adopting if they provide safe indoor homes, and not putting food outside that our native wildlife might eat.”ĭOFAW Wildlife Biologist Raymond McGuire has been dealing with the issue. “We appreciate A&B’s cooperation and prompt attention to this situation,” said Chang. "Trap, Neuter, Release" to transition feral cats into indoor care whenever possible. The DLNR supports the practice of "Trap, Neuter, Adopt" vs. Fish and Wildlife Service was consulted and considers the feeding an “illegal take,” according to the release.Ī&B could face penalties for illegal take of a protected species if it doesn’t comply with the DLNR directive to remove the cat-feeding stations. Cats are known carriers of the infection toxoplasmosis, a leading cause of death for nene.Ĭhang’s letter also noted, “While we recognize that some members of the community feel a strong attachment to feral cats, DLNR’s mission and mandate is to protect and preserve these endangered and endemic species.”īoth the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement have confirmed the feeding of nene.Feeding habituates nene to humans, causing them to separate from their natural environment and relying on feeding stations.The cat food is affecting the nene’s natural behavior, bringing them into close contact with people and roads, further exposing them to dangers from vehicles, dogs, feral cats and mongoose.Cat food is not a natural diet for the nene.The letter also cited potential impacts to the nene: The stations will be returned to the nonprofit organization that has been feeding the cat population throughout the Waikoloa Beach Resort community.Ī letter sent Tuesday from DLNR Chair Dawn Chang to Alexander & Baldwin, the owner of the Queens’ Marketplace, noted, “The endangered nene have been observed consuming the cat food and regularly spending time among the feral cat colony which has resulted in harm to nene.” Originally placed to feed the area’s feral cat population, the stations have attracted nene that have been eating cat food from the dishes and getting into close contact with the cats.
DLNR supports the practice of “Trap, Neuter, Adopt” to transition feral cats into indoor care when possible.The stations will be returned to the nonprofit organization that has been feeding the cat population throughout the Waikoloa Beach Resort community.Cats are known carriers of the infection toxoplasmosis, a leading cause of death for nene.Cat-feeding stations at Queens’ Marketplace have attracted nene to eat the cat food, bringing them into close contact with the feral cat population, people and roads.
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