Introduced predators including cats, rats, mongoose, and mice are one of the greatest threats to Hawai‘i’s remnant native flora and fauna, and many conservation programs around the state control these predators to some degree. However, communications between programs about predator control – methods, effectiveness, cost, etc – is relatively poor. Because of this, lessons learned are not passed through the conservation community, and opportunities to improve our collective effectiveness managing these threats are unrealized.

Hands on Sessions

Rodent Control Nuts & Bolts ‐ Rotating Stations with Posters and Discussion

1. A24s
2. Crush/snap and live traps
3. Rodenticides and birth control
4. Rodent monitoring – tracking cards & chew tags
5. Baits and attractants
6. Identifying predator sign and carcass ID
7. Proper euthanasia techniques

Cat & Mongoose Nuts & Bolts – Rotating Stations with Posters and Discussion

1. Kill traps – body grips
2. Live traps (Tomahawk/box)
3. Live traps – foothold
4. Monitoring Methods – cameras
5. Lures
6. Remote trap monitoring technologies
7. Mongoose‐specific kill traps

Complicated & Dangerous Traps ‐ foothold, conibear & euthanasia techniques – conducted outside (Tyler Bogardus, Darren Peters, Alex Dutcher, George Akau)

Small Group Scenarios

All participants were broken into small groups and given a scenario that required the development of a predator control plan.  These groups met periodically over the course of the forum, developing and revising their plan using the information that they learned in various sessions at the forum. 

Talks and Panels

-Overview and Recent Updates on Predator Fences (Dr. Lindsay Young)

-Principles of Predator Control ‐ Project Design, Setup & Monitoring (presentation by Dr. Aaron Shiels)
-Hawaii Case Studies for Discussion: Oahu Army National Resources Program (Joby Rohrer & Tyler Bogardus) and Pūlama Lāna'i (Dr. Rachel Sprague)

-Principles of Data Collection (Dr. Cali Crampton, Kyle Pias & Dr. Kevin Brinck)

-Principles of Descriptive Analysis (Dr. Cali Crampton, Kyle Pias & Dr. Kevin Brinck)

-The Human Dimensions of Predator Control Programs – “Lessons Learned from Lehua, the Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand” (Dr. Patty Baiao, Megan Nagel & Darren Peters)

-Specialized Data Analysis ‐ models, incomplete data sets, challenges, etc. (Dr. Cali Crampton, Kyle Pias & Dr. Kevin Brinck)

-Permitting and Regulatory Compliance Considerations ‐ ESA, State permits, NEPA/HEPA, IACUC, firearms, pesticide labels, etc. (Michelle Bogardus, Pat Chee & John Vetter)

-Gene Drive & the EPA Registration Process (Dr. Shane Siers & Dr. Aaron Shiels)

-Birth Control (Dr. Cheryl Dyer)

-GoodNature Cat Trap and A18 (Darren Peters)

The venue for the forum was Kilauea Military Camp in Volcanos National Park. In total, 145 predator control practitioners representing over 48 programs from across the state attended. 

The predator control forum was designed to bring as many predator control practitioners into one place at one time to share their mana‘o. We wanted people from across the state, and from programs with as many different levels of experience as possible in the hopes that everyone would be able to share and learn from each other. The three day event featured small group workshop style exercises, hands on and poster tutorials on control devices and techniques, and talks highlighting some techniques and advances in the field. 

This forum was only a small part of what needs to be a greater conversation within the conservation community, and it would not have been a success without so many people stepping up and being involved. If you would like to be involved in future planning for follow up forums, if you'd like material from the forum (posters, talks, and more), or if you'd like to connect with other predator control practitioners from around the state, please email us at PredConHui@gmail.com for more information.