HILO, Hawaiʻi – Several key conservation areas on Hawaiʻi Island will be temporarily closed on July 1 and 2, 2025, for animal control activities targeting feral goats, feral sheep, and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids. The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will conduct these operations using both ground-based and aerial methods.
These control efforts are mandated by the federal government to protect the critical habitat of the palila, a critically endangered native forest bird whose wild population is severely dwindling. The operations will take place within designated palila habitat areas, including:
- Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A)
- Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K)
- Palila Mitigation Lands
- Kaʻohe Game Management Area (Unit G)
Public access to all these areas will be restricted during the control operations on July 1 and 2. Limited access for animal salvage purposes will be permitted by permit only, with access beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, and at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2.
For detailed information regarding the control activities, schedules, salvage permit applications, and specific access conditions, the public is advised to visit the DOFAW website or contact the Hilo DOFAW office directly at (808) 974-4221.