Another big-cat sighting reported on Maui

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

OLINDA, Maui — In the continuing search for the mysterious big cat of Olinda, state wildlife officials have recovered the outlines of two fresh paw prints after a resident reported seeing the animal stalking a deer.

A team of wildlife officials this weekend searched the gulch where the animal was seen at 5:50 p.m. Thursday. Crew members also traced the paw prints at the site and installed a scent-rub station designed to capture hair for species identification.

Information can be found at a new Web site launched by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Deborah Ward, DLNR spokeswoman, said the Web site is designed to keep Maui residents apprised of the cat hunt. The site — state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/wild — is linked to the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife Web site at dofaw.net.

The new Web site will list the latest sightings and evidence and offer related information, including how to report a sighting and safety tips for Olinda residents.

Officials, meanwhile, continue developing a plan for the live capture of the big cat, which apparently has been prowling in and about the rugged gulches of Olinda since December.

A big-cat expert on loan from the Arizona Game and Fish Department examined the evidence, conducted interviews and joined in field searches during a five-day visit this month. Bill Van Pelt on Aug. 13 concluded that the animal is probably a leopard, jaguar or mountain lion.