POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hilo, Hawaii -- The U.S. Army Garrison, Pōhakuloa Training Area (USAG-P) Natural Resources Program (NRP) staff successfully completed the fifth year of the Hawaiian Goose (Nene) Conservation Project managed in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (HFNWR).
“During the 2021–2022 breeding season (October to March), our management of habitat and invasive animals supported 16 nesting pairs of geese, and resulted in 8 goslings surviving to sub-adults capable of flight,” said Lena Schnell, USAG-P NRP Senior Program Manager.
According to Schnell, young goslings unable to fly are extremely vulnerable to invasive predators such as mongoose and feral cats. Several management methods are employed to help increase the survivorship of young geese at HFNWR.
“We enhance the actual habitat in a roughly 3-acre area near the Pua Akala barn by mowing the grass, providing shelters, and controlling invasive plants like gorse,” Schnell continued.
The 22-person natural resource team also manage invasive animals in the habitat enhancement area and along key roads. “Over the five years we have worked in partnership with USFWS at HFNWR (2017–2022), our efforts have supported 65 goslings to survive to sub-adults”, she said.
“It’s great to see another successful nene breeding season. We are extremely proud of the natural resources team here. Their efforts and partnerships with various agencies across the island and state of Hawaii makes a difference in our combined efforts to support the environment,” said Lt. Col. Kevin E. Cronin, Commander U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa.
The Army’s efforts continue to support the island-wide nene population and significantly contribute to conservation efforts of this iconic Hawaiian bird.
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