Maui's big-cat mystery may draw in expert
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui Bureau
OLINDA, Maui — With big-cat sightings continuing to mount and more large claw marks discovered in the wilderness near here, a state wildlife official said yesterday it's probably time to fly in an expert from the Mainland.
Bill Van Pelt, a big-cat expert from Arizona, has agreed to come to Maui, said Fern Duvall, the state wildlife biologist who has been leading the investigation in Olinda.
The only trick is finding the money to transport him here and put him up during his stay, Duvall said.
The money dilemma likely will be one of the topics of a 6 p.m. meeting today at Mayor Eddie Tam Gym in Makawao. Duvall is scheduled to update the Olinda Homeowners Association on the status of the big-cat case.
Duvall said Van Pelt, the nongame mammals program manager with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and member of an international Jaguar Conservation Team, would help determine if there is a big cat and, if so, what species. He would also provide advice for how to proceed with the hunt.
Reports of a catlike animal in Olinda have occurred almost every month since mid-December, prompting a search by wildlife officials that found sizable paw tracks, claw marks on trees and dead birds on June 24. Baited traps and cameras were set up in a gulch adjacent to residences, but they were dismantled after a futile two weeks.
Duvall said yesterday he believes an exotic cat, possibly a leopard or jaguar, is prowling in and around a three-mile radius of Olinda, based on sightings and reports of growls. The latest sighting, he said, occurred early Wednesday morning.
And more large-cat claw marks have been found on trees. Duvall declined to say exactly where the new claw marks and sightings occurred, except to note that they were mauka of the area where the traps were set up last month.
Duvall said the traps have not been set up again, in part because there's a question of whether they are appropriate. Instead — and on Van Pelt's advice — six velcro-equipped "hair snare stations" were put in place this week in hopes of snagging some hair to help identify the animal.
As for the July 11 mauling of a young deer in Olinda, it appears that was the work of a dog — though the evidence isn't conclusive. A large cat print was found within 10 feet of the carcass, he said, and the cat may have taken a turn eating the dead animal.
Duvall is an avian veterinarian who previously led the state's efforts to save the endangered Hawaiian crow and Hawaiian goose. "I'm not a big-cat expert," he said.
Duvall urged neighbors to use caution and be alert. Sightings, strange animal sounds, unusual pet behavior or other similar events can be reported to the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife on Maui at (808) 873-3502 or to the Maui police nonemergency number at (808) 244-6400.
