Puu O Hoku Ranch Nene Reintroduction Safe Harbor Agreement

Posted: 01-Apr-2002; Updated: 08-Oct-2003

The endangered nene ("NAY-nay") or Hawaiian goose is back on Molokai, after vanishing sometime prior to the 1778 arrival of captain James Cook. In December 2001, 10 captive-bred nene were released on private ranchland. This reintroduction is part of a safe harbor agreement signed in September 2001 by Puu O Hoku Ranch, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The reintroduced nenes wasted no time in their new home; breeding was documented in spring 2002.

When the nene (Branta sandvicensis) was named Hawaii's state bird in 1957, prospects for its survival were grim. It had nearly disappeared during the previous century due to overhunting, habitat loss, and predation by introduced species such as mongooses, feral cats and dogs, and wild pigs. The nene was one of the first animals to placed on the endangered species list. A successful captive breeding program increased the bird's numbers, and about 400 nene now inhabit the islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.

In a ceremony that included a native Hawaiian blessing given by Kahu Reynolds Ayau of the Halawa Church, officials released 10 goslings (young nene) on Puu O Hoku, which is an active cattle ranch. Nene favor short grass and are known to forage in cattle pastures, and the ranch's normal operations are expected to be compatible with the bird's needs. Eventually Puu O Hoku could provide habitat for an estimated 75 nene, a considerable portion of the island's recovery goal of 200 of the rare birds.

Under the safe harbor agreement, ranch management will maintain or improve nene habitat, and will control the bird's non-native predators. In return, Puu O Hoku Ranch receives assurances that its Endangered Species Act responsibilities for the nene will not increase beyond what they were prior to the signing of the agreement. The state expects that additional landowners will sign safe harbor agreements for the nene.

Puu O Hoku Ranch website

Hawaii's Endangered Waterfowl Safe Harbor Agreement