Juvenile blamed in death of nene

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer

Wildlife officials are investigating an attack Sunday that killed an endangered Hawaiian goose at Leleiwi County Beach Park in Hilo, Hawai'i.

An endangered Hawaiian nene, similar to this one, was killed in an attack Sunday at a beach park in Hilo. Advertiser library photo • Dec. 31, 2002

Scott Andrews, who runs a bed-and-breakfast across the street from the park, told The Advertiser he saw a boy about 7 or 8 years old smash the nene with a rock Sunday afternoon.

"It really upset me," he said. "It was not a pretty sight."

Andrews said he carried the injured bird, which had a broken neck, to his house, where it died minutes later. By the time he returned to the scene, the boy and his family were gone.

Deborah Ward of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said enforcement officers are seeking the identity of the boy's parents. Anyone with information should call investigating officer Alan Akau at (808) 974-6208.

The nene, the state bird, is protected by state and federal law. Under the federal Endangered Species Act, anyone who harms a protected animal faces up to $50,000 and/or a year in jail.

Scientists estimate there are perhaps 900 nene across the state, most found in protected, higher-elevation areas of the Big Island. But some have made their way to lower-elevation areas such as Leleiwi.

Andrews said the dead goose, believed to be about 4 years old, and his mate had been hanging around the oceanfront park and its pond for at least a year. In November, bird-watchers observed that the breeding pair were "very tame, approaching people near the shore," according to the Birding Hawai'i Web Site. The pair was even featured in the local newspaper.

"They were sweet and tame," he said. "Thousands and thousands of people enjoyed them. It was such a pleasure having them down there."

Yesterday, the surviving goose remained at the park, belting out the characteristic mournful honks of a grieving nene.