Paper to cover cat expert's costs

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui Bureau

MAKAWAO, Maui — In their first formal meeting about the elusive big cat of Olinda, residents last night learned a newspaper would pay to bring an expert here from the Mainland.

Nearly 50 residents attended the Olinda Homeowners Association meeting at Eddie Tam Community Center.

State wildlife biologist Fern Duvall told the group that reports of big-cat sightings and growls in the night have continued steadily. Also, more large claw marks have been discovered near the rural neighborhood above Makawao.

Duvall had said Bill Van Pelt of the Arizona Game and Fish Department had agreed to come to Maui. But paying for his trip was a problem.

During the meeting, a reporter with the Maui Weekly announced the newspaper would pay the airfare and publisher Joseph Sugarman would offer Van Pelt the use of his guest house.

Van Pelt could arrive as soon as Thursday.

Reports of a catlike animal in Olinda have occurred almost every month since December. Duvall said yesterday he still believes an exotic cat, possibly a leopard or jaguar, is prowling in a three-mile radius of Olinda. He said the cat is likely young, inexperienced and a former pet, and he said that could account for inconsistencies in its behavior in the wild. The latest sighting occurred early Wednesday morning, when a man apparently startled "a very thin cat" in his back yard, he said.

Duvall said that because the cat has not been aggressive so far, the plan still is to capture the animal alive. He said when Van Pelt arrives, officials will likely conduct an intensive search for carcasses, tracks or other animal signs, perhaps with dogs.