Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
altered natural processes. Key threats to the nēnē (including habitat loss, behavioral problems, and
inbreeding depression) are discussed in detail below (USFWS 2004).
No critical habitat has been designated for any of Hawai„i‟s endangered waterbirds (USFWS 2005a).
The general recovery objectives for the endangered waterbirds (except the Laysan duck), as
described in the Second Draft Recovery Plan for Hawaiian Waterbirds (2005a), are the following:
stabilize or increase species populations to greater than 2,000 individuals; establish multiple selfsustaining
breeding populations throughout their historical ranges; protect and manage core and
supporting wetlands Statewide; eliminate or control the threat of introduced predators, diseases, and
contaminants; and remove the islandwide threat of the koloa maoli hybridizing with mallards.
Specific recovery objectives for the nēnē are outlined in the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the
Nēnē (2004) and are discussed below.
4.6.1 Nēnē (Branta sandvicensis)
The nēnē is a medium-sized goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Adult males and females are
mostly dark brown or sepia with a black face and crown, cream-colored cheeks, and a buff neck with
black streaks. Females are smaller than males. Compared to other geese, nēnē are more terrestrial and
have longer legs and less webbing between their toes; these differences likely facilitate nēnē walking
on lava flows. The nēnē was listed as endangered in March 1967 and is the State bird of Hawai„i.
In 1951, the wild nēnē population was estimated at 30 individuals. All populations since then have
been or are currently being supplemented by captive-bred birds. As of 2009, the population was
estimated at between 1,877-1,927 individuals, with 446 birds on the Island of Hawai„i, 416 birds on
Maui, 850-900 birds on Kaua„i, and 165 birds on Moloka„i (USFWS unpubl).
At the HFU, a total of 10 adults and 25 goslings were introduced in 1996, 1997, 2002, and 2003. The
population of nēnē has increased from 10 in 1996-1997 to approximately 200 in 2007. The number of
known nests has increased from 1 to 38, and 40 mated pairs of nēnē were observed in 2007. Nēnē are
found at the higher elevations of the HFU around the cattle ponds and are frequently seen at the
administrative site (Jeffrey, pers. comm.). Adult nēnē disperse from the HFU typically by the end of
May and have been regularly sighted at Kahuku (HAVO), Kūlani, Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA),
and Pu„u Anahulu. Several Hakalau individuals are also known to seasonally use Kapāpala Ranch
and the Kīlauea region of HAVO. Nēnē can commonly be found in the pastures at the junction of
Keanakolu Road, the Mauna Kea Summit Road, and Saddle Road (USFWS, unpubl.). Nēnē do not
occur on the KFU (Jeffrey, pers. comm.).
Nēnē historically occurred in lowland dry forests, shrublands, grasslands, and montane dry forests
and shrublands. Habitat preferences of contemporary populations are likely biased as preferences
may be influenced by the location of release sites of captive-bred birds. Birds currently use a wide
variety of habitats including coastal dune vegetation and nonnative grasslands (e.g., golf courses,
pastures, rural areas), sparsely vegetated low- and high-elevation lava flows, mid-elevation native
and nonnative shrubland, early successional cinderfall, cinder deserts, native alpine grasslands and
shrublands, and open native and nonnative alpine shrubland-woodland community interfaces. Nēnē
can be found from sea level to 7,900 ft (Mitchell et al. 2005, USFWS 2004). Seasonally, nēnē have
been known to use areas up to 8,900 ft at HAVO/Kapāpala.
Chapter 4. Refuge Biology and Habitats 4-41