Posted on: Friday, December 3, 2004

Big Island motorists urged to brake for nene

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — A nene family that includes the first gosling of the breeding season have been spotted trying to cross Hawai'i Belt Road in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park area, and parks officials are asking motorists to watch out for the endangered birds.

Park superintendent Cindy Orlando is asking motorists to slow down for nene around the 40-mile marker near the park's Ka'u boundary, which is about 11 miles on the Ka'u side of the park entrance.

On Tuesday afternoon and again yesterday morning, motorists reported a nene family of three attempting to cross the highway there.

In early 2004, a nene mother and her gosling were hit and killed by cars at the same spot. Signs have been posted to remind motorists that the birds frequent the area.

Nene are active throughout the day as well as before sunrise and after sunset. In daylight or moonlight, they can be difficult to see because of their coloring.

So far this year, three nene have been killed by cars, including the two on Hawai'i Belt Road and one on Crater Rim Drive. Five nene were killed by cars in 2003.