Big Island Video News

Serving Hawaii County

  • Hawaiʻi Island News Regions
    • Hamakua
      • Mauna Kea
    • Hilo
    • Kau
    • Kona
    • Kohala
    • Puna
Endemic Hawaiian goose breeding, nesting season begins
Avatar photo

by Big Island Video News
on Nov 18, 2013 at 5:13 pm

Subscribe to Big Island Video News (FREE)

* indicates required

STORY SUMMARY

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii – Now through April is vital to the survival of the nēnē, reports the National Park Service, which says the seasonal breeding and nesting time for Hawaii’s endemic goose is underway. According to National Park officials: NPS, 11/18/13 “Visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park now through April could get lucky and […]

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii – Now through April is vital to the survival of the nēnē, reports the National Park Service, which says the seasonal breeding and nesting time for Hawaii’s endemic goose is underway.

According to National Park officials:

NationalParkServiceNPS, 11/18/13

“Visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park now through April could get lucky and spot pairs of the endemic Hawaiian goose, or nēnē, flying overhead or grazing with goslings.

Currently, female nēnē are focused on building up their fat reserves in order to lay eggs and survive the 30-day incubation period. A few females have already started to nest in the park, and their mates are dutifully standing guard. Because visitors can unknowingly disturb nesting nēnē, the park may temporarily close certain areas to give nēnē families a break from human interference.

Nēnē are endangered, and in the mid-1940s, only 50 birds remained. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park began efforts to recover the species in the 1970s. The Nēnē Recovery Program continues today, and more than 200 birds thrive in the park from sea level to around 8,000 feet. As many as 2,000 or more nēnē exist statewide.”

NPS Photo/Charlotte Forbes-Perry | A 3-year-old female nēnē focuses on fattening up for nesting season, while her mate stands guard.

NPS Photo/Charlotte Forbes-Perry | A 3-year-old female nēnē focuses on fattening up for nesting season, while her mate stands guard.

Kathleen Misajon, Nēnē Recovery Project manager, was quoted in the media release:

Kathleen MisajonKathleen Misajon, 11/18/13

“Nēnē are most vulnerable to vehicles this time of year. They are focused on eating and could be out foraging from dawn to dusk. They blend in with their surroundings, and in low-light periods, they are especially hard for motorists to spot.

We’ve had a great deal of success protecting nēnē and maintaining the population in the park. But it is imperative that humans keep a respectful distance from the geese, especially during this sensitive time.”

To report nēnē on the road in the park, call 808-985-6001. Outside the park, call 808-974-4221.


Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: nene

LATEST NEWS

“Voluntary Compliance Order” Issued To Stop Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Spread

Episode 27 Erupts Into High Lava Fountains, Civil Defense Message Issued

Traffic Accident Closes Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway

Volcanic Activity Notice Issued For Kīlauea

VOLCANO WATCH: Kīlauea Tephra Goes Where The Wind Blows

Brown Water Advisory Issued At Honokohau Harbor

About Big Island Video News

  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in