Special Interest
The nene, or Hawaiian goose, is native to these lands. Unfortunately it is endangered, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is doing everything they can to save the Nene.
Nine different species of geese originally evolved on the Hawaiian islands, and eight of the nine were flightless. The eight flightless geese were led to extinction by the Polynesians. The one remaining species of goose was the nene. The nene is a herbivore, and is a strong flier, and flies often, but prefers walking and occasionally swimming, due to its short wings, long legs, and little webbing between its toes.
In 1778, there were about 25,000 nene on the islands, but by the mid 1940's only about 50 birds remained. The nene population dwindled due to new predators being introduced, for example the mongoose, new foraging animals like cattle, goats and pigs, hunters, and loss of lowland habitat.
In 1970, the park began a captive nene breeding program and reintroduction plan to try and repopulate the nene in to the park. There were still other factors harming the nene, such as the nene getting hit by cars now that there were more paved roads, the nene getting hit by golf balls because of new golf courses built, and there was still the threat of predators, but slowly, with the parks help, the nene are growing in population.
Still today the park uses many techniques to protect the endangered nene. They control predators in nesting habitats, mow pastures, close sensitive brooding areas to the public, and maintain predator-resistant enclosures. The park is also continuing to develop new ways to protect and populate the nene.
In 1778, there were about 25,000 nene on the islands, but by the mid 1940's only about 50 birds remained. The nene population dwindled due to new predators being introduced, for example the mongoose, new foraging animals like cattle, goats and pigs, hunters, and loss of lowland habitat.
In 1970, the park began a captive nene breeding program and reintroduction plan to try and repopulate the nene in to the park. There were still other factors harming the nene, such as the nene getting hit by cars now that there were more paved roads, the nene getting hit by golf balls because of new golf courses built, and there was still the threat of predators, but slowly, with the parks help, the nene are growing in population.
Still today the park uses many techniques to protect the endangered nene. They control predators in nesting habitats, mow pastures, close sensitive brooding areas to the public, and maintain predator-resistant enclosures. The park is also continuing to develop new ways to protect and populate the nene.
About the nene:
Like many other birds, the nene follows a natural cycle. In the fall and winter, approximately October-April depending on weather, the nene breeds. After the nene breed, they molt. Molting is the process of feather replacement, which is necessary because the feathers wear out. Usually, at some point after there primary wig feathers drop, the birds are flightless. Nene tend to be very secretive in behavior when the are flightless. Finally, the nene flock in the summer months. During flocking, family groups, pairs, or single birds gather at traditional spots to socialize. Here single birds start choosing mates, and young birds meet the rest of the flock. Year after year, the nene's cycle repeats itself, and the nene breed, molt, and then flock.