KILAUEA — The first batch of nene goslings for the season is nearly four weeks old on Kauai. They’re fuzzy and sweet, and they don’t know roadway etiquette — a trait they share with their parents. It’s something to remember
KILAUEA — The first batch of nene goslings for the season is nearly four weeks old on Kauai.
They’re fuzzy and sweet, and they don’t know roadway etiquette — a trait they share with their parents.
It’s something to remember when driving around the island at this time of year, said nene experts with the state and conservationists at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Four adult nene have been killed by cars in the span of four days this month along Kilauea Road. The first was hit on Oct. 4, another was hit on Oct. 5, and two more were killed on Oct. 7.
“They’re not like chickens or other birds that move out of the way (of your car),” said Jennifer Waipa, volunteer coordinator at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. “You have to wait for them.”
It’s the endangered birds’ mating and nesting season that makes them susceptible to car strikes, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
During this time of year both adults and goslings are flightless for a period of time and are especially vulnerable, according to a DLNR press release.
Nene are often seen foraging along the edges of highways and ditches as a result of regular mowing and runoff from the pavement creating especially desirable grass in these areas, the release said.
The first of the four nene was found after Waipa and staff members at KPNWR were notified by visitors who witnessed the collision. That led to a search for the bird.
“Amy from SOS (Save Our Shearwaters) happened to be in the neighborhood, so she stopped by and found the nene in the bushes,” Waipa said. “The wing was so badly damaged they had to euthanize that one.”
Jamie Harris with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is working with the County of Kauai to post nene warning signs along the road. It’ll be one or two weeks before the signs go up, and temporary signs are being posted in the interim.
DLNR is considering the addition of flashing lights on the signs to draw more attention, and adding speed bumps near the refuge entrance.
Also in the works is some form of outreach to car rental companies.
More than 50 nene have been stuck and killed by cars along Kauai roadways since 2015, according to DLNR, and in January 2017 two of them were goslings that had been recently photographed grazing alongside the Hanalei River near Kuhio Highway.
On Kauai, the worst locations for nene deaths are around the Hanalei Bridge, on Kilauea Road near the Kilauea Point NWR, and on the Westside of the island, according to DLNR.
Many times it’s during the morning and evening hours when fatal strikes occur.
As a driver, the best option is to let the nene take the lead on the road, according to experts.
“You have to wait for them to move out of the way. Give them wide berth and go around them,” Waipa said.
