Assessing the limitations of conventional predator control in Maui Nui: Re-envisioning the approach to protecting a unique seabird habitat

Abstract

**Abstract:** On leeward Haleakalā, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project and Auwahi Wind Project of AEP Energy Partners monitor endangered ʻUaʻu (Pterodroma sandwichensis, Hawaiian petrel), and collaborate to control predators in adjacent management areas. Together these sites form a buffer for the greater ʻUaʻu colony within Haleakalā National Park. Since monitoring began, the number of active burrows and reproductive success rates have increased. We present predator activity data and control efforts over 8 years of management. Although predator abundance is locally low, feral cats (Felis catus) and small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) freely traverse the landscape and target ʻUaʻu burrows. We suggest that the current approach of intensive predator control near nesting sites is marginally effective due to behavioral patterns and large home ranges of the predators. Predator activity is assessed through standardized surveys, and by monitoring game camera data from ʻUaʻu burrows. Traps are maintained near areas of high burrow density, and are deployed in response to predator activity on cameras. Despite successful trapping efforts, predators persist, and predation rates (depredated/breeding burrows; annual mean 20%) remain largely unchanged. We show that adopting new trapping technology and methodology can achieve improvements in capture rates; however, we expect the current, reactive strategy to remain limited to local and near-term predation suppression. In addition, budget and personnel are difficult to maintain as the colony continues to expand. A change toward a more landscape-level approach that addresses the behavioral ecology of the target species is needed to produce long-term and widespread effects. **Authors:** Martin Frye¹, Jennifer Learned¹, George Akau², Benjamin Campbell², Nuuanu Santos², Cecelia Frisinger¹, Jay Penniman¹ ¹Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, ²Auwahi Wind Project