A mongoose was captured at Nāwiliwili Small Boat Harbor on Kaua‘i, marking a rare occurrence for the island, which does not have an established population of this invasive species. The capture took place on September 5 after the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee (KISC) set up 12 traps baited with fresh coconuts along the jetty wall in response to reports of a possible mongoose sighting.
The animal, identified as a juvenile female, was found in one of the traps and then handed over to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB). The DAB is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services to analyze the captured mongoose.
Mongoose populations are established on O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, and Hawai‘i Island but not on Kaua‘i. The animals pose a threat to native ground-nesting birds and can arrive on Kaua‘i by hitchhiking from infested areas. Since response efforts were increased in 2012, five live mongooses have been caught on Kaua‘i. The last known capture occurred in 2023 at Nāwiliwili Harbor and involved a pregnant female.
In cases of suspected mongoose sightings, residents are encouraged to report them to KISC at 808-821-1490, call the state toll-free PEST HOTLINE at 808-643-PEST(7378), or submit information online at https://643pest.org.
“KISC had deployed 12 traps baited with fresh coconuts along the jetty wall at the harbor on September 4, after receiving reports of a possible mongoose along the jetty. The following morning, a juvenile female mongoose was found in one of the traps. KISC handed the mongoose over to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB), who is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services to complete an analysis.”
“While Kaua‘i does not have an established population of mongoose, they are known to hitchhike to Kaua‘i from infested areas. Mongoose are established on O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and Hawai‘i Island and are a threat to native ground-nesting birds. In a multiagency effort to protect Kaua‘i from the devastating impacts of an established mongoose population, teams from KISC, DAB and additional agencies respond to mongoose sightings at high-risk sites. Five live mongoose have been captured since response efforts were strengthened in 2012. The last mongoose caught on Kaua‘i was a pregnant female mongoose captured at Nāwiliwili Harbor in 2023.”
“Any suspected mongoose sightings should be reported to KISC at 808-821-1490, the state toll-free PEST HOTLINE at: 808-643-PEST(7378) or online at: 643pest.org”
