UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship - Research Library

Home range and movements of feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Author:
Goltz, Dan M., Hess, Steven C., Brinck, Kevin W., Banko, Paul C., Danner, Raymond
Title:
Home range and movements of feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Periodical:
Pacific Conservation Biology
Year:
2008
Volume:
14
Pages:
177-184
Subject:
Feral cats Felis catus Mauna Kea Home range
Summary:
Feral cats (Felis catus) became abundant in forests of the Hawaiian Islands soon after their introduction in the late 1700s. They were reported to be notorious predators of birds that contributed to the decline and extinction of some Hawaiian species and are currently important predators of colonial seabirds and terrestrial birds that nest near the ground and in trees. The distribution and abundance of feral cats may be controlled by a number of factors including territorial behavior, social interactions, or food resources. They range throughout the Hawaiian Islands from high-density colonies near coastal areas where pets are frequently abandoned and fed by people, to remote, low-density populations in montane forests and subalpine areas of Maui and Hawaii Island. However, despite the long history of feral cats in Hawaii, little research has been done on their spatial arrangement or basic ecological organization, such as home range and movement. The only study of feral cat home ranges in Hawaii was from a wet montane forest on windward Mauna Kea, at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Hawaii. These studies have contributed to the basic knowledge of the species, but have also provided information for better management of non-native predators and conservation of native fauna. The objective of this study was to determine home range, territoriality, and daily movement rates of feral cats in the dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawaii Island as part of a larger study of feral cats in Hawaii that included disease, diet, and population genetics. The overall goal of this research was to provide basic information regarding the impacts that feral cats have on native wildlife as well as strategies for developing and improving control methods. The study area, methods used, and the results of this study are included in this document.
Label:
Animals
Collection:
Periodicals