Feeding the nene: Army program sees increase in Hawaiian goose population in Saddle area

On Friday, officials from the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge reported another successful nene breeding season on the slopes of Maunakea.

“During the 2021-2022 breeding season (October to March), our habitat and invasive animal management supported 16 pairs of nesting geese and allowed 8 goslings to survive to become invasive animals. sub-adults capable of flight,” said Lena Schnell, U.S. Army Garrison. , senior manager of the Pohakuloa Training Area Natural Resources Program.

According to Schnell, young flightless goslings are extremely vulnerable to invasive predators such as mongooses and feral cats. Several management methods are employed to help increase the survival of young geese at the refuge.

“We are improving the actual habitat in an area of ​​approximately 3 acres near Pua Akala’s barn by mowing grass, providing shelter and controlling invasive plants like gorse,” she said. .

The Army staff has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge for the past five years on the Hawaiian Goose (nene) Conservation Project. Since 2017, the project has seen an overall increase in the Nene population in the Saddle area.

The 22-person natural resources team also manages invasive animals in the habitat improvement area and along major area roads.