LIHUE The U.S. Department of Agricultures Wildlife Services Hawaii program will introduce Monday new canine teams and discuss the implementation of a pilot project to nonlethally haze nene away from resort areas.
LIHUE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services Hawaii program will introduce Monday new canine teams and discuss the implementation of a pilot project to nonlethally haze nene away from resort areas.
Wildlife Services, along with the state departments of Land and Natural Resources and Transportation Airports Division, and Hokuala Timbers Resort, are working together to protect the flying public utilizing Lihue Airport while also ensuring the protection of Hawaii’s state bird, the endangered native Hawaiian goose, or nene.
The one-year pilot project during the 2018-19 breeding season is aimed at minimizing and preventing nesting of nene at the Hokuala Timbers Resort near the airport.
The pilot project will involve continuous nonlethal hazing of the birds by two border collies and their handlers, as well as WS-Hawaii employees utilizing golf carts, or walking, running or using handheld flags or flashlights.
Wildlife Services is currently conducting hazing operations at Lihue Airport.
“Airplanes and wildlife don’t mix,” said a press release.
Over $700 million annually is lost due to wildlife strikes with civil aircraft in the U.S. alone, the release said. “Although flying remains a very safe way to travel, wildlife strikes have caused death and injuries, and are nearly always fatal for the animals.”
