Two nene cross the street while a sign reads “Nene Crossing,” cautioning drivers to slow down and watch out for wildlife on roadways. Recent deaths of native geese urge motorists to drive carefully within the Haleakala National Park where these species often reside. National Parks Services photo
The new year has been a tough start for native nene at Haleakala National Park as two geese have been fatally struck by vehicles over the past few weeks.
The latest nene death was reported early Friday morning just after midnight near the Summit District park entrance station. The other fatality occurred during this year’s nesting season on the evening of Dec. 23, 2021 near the Visitor Center just below the flashing nene crossing sign, which warns motorists to slow down and look out for wildlife on the road.
Park wildlife biologists noted the latest nene killed was a female and observed a lone male nene calling out and vocalizing nearby. The lone male nene is presumed to be the mate of the dead female” nene typically mate for life.
“During nesting season, when a nene loses its mate it usually results in total failure for that nene family. Any goslings that need rearing are likely to perish without both of its nene parents,” said Wildlife Biologist Joy Tamayose in a news release. “It may have a chance to find a mate before the next nesting season to try again, but we have observed that nene usually do not find another mate for the remainder of the nesting season.”
The nene struck in December was the male of the park’s first reported nesting pair with goslings in the 2021-22 nesting season. The goslings have since died.
Nesting season for these Hawaiian geese is from October to May. Weather conditions at the summit of Haleakala such as wind, rain, and poor visibility can make spotting nene difficult.
NPS said that motorists can protect nene and other wildlife by:
• Following speed limits and driving with caution, especially near the park entrance and Headquarters Visitor Center.
• Looking out for wildlife on roadways. If you stop for wildlife, turn on your hazard lights and allow the animal to completely move off the road before continuing to drive.
• Planning like a park ranger and giving yourself plenty of time to make it to your destination in or outside of the park. This is especially important when driving at night for sunrise or sunset.
• Keeping wildlife wild by not feeding them. Feeding wildlife attracts them to hazardous locations like roadways or parking lots and can put them in dangerous situations.
• Inspecting the area around your vehicle for wildlife, especially underneath or behind your vehicle, before exiting a parking space.
To report injured nene or other wildlife in Haleakala National Park, call 808-985-6170.
If outside the park, call the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 808-984-8100.
To learn more about nene, visit www.nps.gov/hale/learn/ nature/haleakala-nene.htm.
Two nene cross the street while a sign reads “Nene Crossing,” cautioning drivers to slow down and watch out for wildlife on roadways. Recent deaths of native geese urge motorists to drive carefully within the Haleakala National Park where these species often reside. National Parks Services photoToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
The Maui News Maui County Department of Finance Director Scott Teruya was placed on administrative leave on last ...
Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, formerly on Front Street in Lahaina Town and destroyed by the fire, announced the ...
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqecsKtfobykrctmpZ6vo2R%2FcX6RaGdqZ6KasKa602alnqaVYrOiwMCloK2hlah6pK3LpWSdqpmrsrO%2FjK2mZqucpMRusM6wpWaZnpl6uK3TnJ9mp6Wpeqe70WauoqSUobansYyopWaqn5axuK3YrGY%3D