Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, December 9, 2019

The Hawaiian goose, nēnē, the largest native land animal in Hawai‘i, is federally listed as a Threatened Species,  its population growing during more than 50 years on the Endangered Species List. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei

NĒNĒ GEESE ARE A THREATENED SPECIES, UPGRADED FROM ENDANGERED after more than 50 years on the List. U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt made the announcement on Sunday during a trip to Oʻahu. He said he thinks the endemic goose, Hawaiʻi's State Bird, can safely be taken off the Endangered Species List. The nēnē population is estimated at over 3,000 birds and increasing, with over 1,000 on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's population is over 250.

Learn about nēnē on the recent podcast series Voices of Science, which discusses the geese, the Park's night skies, invasive coqui frogs, and more, at nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/vos.htm. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei

     Bernhardt told state officials, "You have a tremendously inspiring story. This is a story about what the Endangered Species Act is supposed to be about, and the great thing here is we're moving this bird – really, in my opinion – from the emergency ward or the intensive care unit. It's still in the hospital. It still needs [us] to be protective of it and thoughtful of it."
     He contended that changing the listing for nēnē from Endangered to Threatened will "ensure that there's some flexibilities built in for the neighbors and folks that are gonna have some more experiences with these birds as their population grows."
     Sen. Brian Schatz said, "We have a long way to go before the nēnē is completely recovered – and it will require continued protections – but this is an important milestone. It shows how the Endangered Species Act is supposed to work: a science-based recovery plan and a strong partnership between the state and federal governments.

Often mistaken as flightless, this nēnē spreads its wings and flies  towards Mauna Ulu. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei

     "Thanks to the Fish & Wildlife Service, the Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural Resources, and the many environmental organizations and volunteers who have worked to save our iconic state bird."

     Maxx Phillips, the Center for Biological Diversity's Hawaiʻi director, said in a statement that "the successful efforts to recover the nēnē demonstrate how effective the Endangered Species Act truly is. Without this landmark law, wildlife in danger of disappearing forever, like the nēnē, would have little hope of recovery."

     However, Phillips pointed out that "the Trump administration has only protected 21 species under the Endangered Species Act — the lowest of any administration at this point in a presidential term," and that rollbacks to key Endangered Species Act regulations made earlier this year "could lead to extinction for hundreds of animals and plants."

Though nēnē are strong and frequent flyers, their short wing span, long legs, and minimal toe webbing indicate that they walk but rarely swim. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei

     Nēnē, the Hawaiian goose –which was on the Volcano House restaurant menu generations ago –was listed as Endangered in 1967.
     The National Park Service estimates 25,000 wild nēnē lived here when Captain Cook arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1778. The nēnē population dwindled to 30 by 1960.

     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's website attributes the huge drop in nēnē numbers to: predation by intentionally introduced non-native species like mongooses, cats, and dogs; death by hunters; loss of habitat to intentionally introduced non-native foraging animals such as goats, pigs, and cattle; loss of food and cover plants from introduced plants; loss of lowland habitat, where more food is available that helps goslings grow; and being hit by road vehicles and golf balls on golf courses.

Park officials urge motorists watch for nēnē, which are fond of eating the plants on roadsides. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei

     In the 1970s, captive breeding programs were started in the Park, but all the population-reducing factors remained. The Park began habitat restoration projects, in and around the Park. The Park launched education for visitors and residents alike, urging them to refrain from feeding – they eat native ‘ōhelo berries and other plants – and to watch for them on roadways, especially during breeding and nesting times of the year.