Kaua'i officials lay traps after mongoose sighting
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A mongoose was spotted crossing a road on the east side of Kaua'i, and wildlife officials plan to launch an extensive trapping effort.
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Mongooses are established on O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island, but are not found on Kaua'i, Lana'i, Ni'ihau or Kaho'olawe. They are considered predators because they feast on plants, birds, insects and other small animals, and also eat native ground-nesting bird eggs and chicks.
The mongoose is considered a threat to native wildlife, including ground-nesting birds and even turtle eggs and hatchlings.
They are a particular threat to wildlife on Kaua'i, which has a healthy population of ground-nesting birds. The Garden Isle also has the state's only growing population of nene, the Hawaiian goose.
"I don't think people realize the damage that small mammals like mongooses can do," said Christy Martin of the state's Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species. "O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island have very few sea birds, and that is because sea birds nest on the ground where they are very accessible to mongooses."
Kilauea Light House on Kaua'i is known for its flights of circling sea birds, but that might come to an end if mongooses are allowed to become established on the island, she said.
The little mammals would also pose a threat to sea turtles. "They'll eat the eggs and the hatchlings," Martin said. "They're fierce creatures."
Authorities have had several reports of a possible mongoose in the area north of Kapa'a, but the latest was from a credible source who was certain about the animal's identity, Martin said.
The mongoose was spotted on Feb. 23.
The animals have been reported before on Kaua'i, but never confirmed. Trapping efforts most often resulted in the capture of feral cats, which are also a threat to native wildlife.
Mongooses were introduced to the Islands in 1883 to control rats in sugar cane fields, but their impact on rat populations was small.
Advertiser Staff Writer Karen Blakeman contributed to this report. Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
