To shield the endangered palila bird from the encroaching threat of non-native species, Hawaiʻi has announced a temporary shuttering of select wildlife reserves for animal control measures. These activities, necessitated by a federal mandate, will target populations of feral goats, sheep, and their hybrid counterparts within critical habitats on the Big Island.
The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has marked April 23 and 24, for the exercise, which will include both ground-based tactics and the more visually spectacular – albeit controversial – method of aerial culling. According to an official statement, this is a necessary measure to protect the palila, a critically endangered bird teetering on the brink with only a few hundred individuals remaining in the wild. During these dates, access to the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, Ice Age Natural Area Reserve, and adjacent lands will be strictly controlled.
For those interested in participating in what DOFAW has termed "animal salvage" - a silver lining for local hunters - permits will be issued for the days of the operation. They will be available starting at 7:00 a.m. on April 23 and at 6:00 a.m. on April 24. The permits allow hunters to recover the culled animals, turning the animal control activities into a source of meat for some in the community. More detailed information about acquiring a permit can be found on the DLNR's website.
