Some aspects of feral goat distribution in Haleakala National Park

Abstract

More than 30,000 goats have been killed in Haleakala National Park (HALE) since 1915, yet they still impart a major negative impact upon the native ecosystems. While it may be easy to fault the Park, and indeed mistakes have been made, there is no indication that the National Park Service (NPS) has seriously considered any solution short of eradication as an answer to the problem. While some Park managers have made goat control a higher priority than others, nearly everyone has understood the severity of the problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the movements, herd ranges, and bedding sites of the feral goat populations in Haleakala National Park and recommend strategies for fencing.