Bait may have caught interest of big cat on Maui

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

State wildlife officials said yesterday that an animal appears to have taken more than a casual interest in at least one of the baited traps set up Tuesday to catch the mysterious big cat of Olinda, Maui.

But was it the big cat?

Deborah Ward, a spokes-woman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said nothing was inside the traps when wildlife workers checked them for the first time yesterday afternoon.

But at least one trap showed signs that something tried to reach in and chew on the store-bought chicken without going inside the cage, which is approximately 6 feet to 7 feet long, 4 feet high and 3 feet wide.

Experts are analyzing the evidence, she said, but so far officials don't know what kind of animal they're dealing with.

Ward said wildlife workers yesterday cleared brush and smoothed the soil around all four traps in the area, hoping to capture some paw prints.

"It's a good sign," she said of the animal activity. "It's a sign that something is interested. If we can get a print, it may tell us what kind of animal is out there."

There have been reports of a cat-like animal stalking Olinda almost every month since mid-December. Ten recent reports include six sightings within a two-mile radius.

A state search team on Tuesday found sizable paw prints, large gouges on trees and bird carcasses — the first solid evidence the animal exists.

Ward said crews are planning to check the traps each day early in the morning.