LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) – A live mongoose has been captured on Kauai, where the invasive species does not have an established population.
In a multiagency effort to prevent mongoose establishment, members of the Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC) captured the critter at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor on Friday morning.
KISC had deployed 12 traps baited with fresh coconuts along the jetty wall at the harbor on Sept. 4, after receiving reports of a possible mongoose along the jetty.
The following morning, a juvenile female mongoose was found in one of the traps.
KISC handed the mongoose over to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB), who is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to complete an analysis.
While Kauai does not have an established population of mongoose, they are known to hitchhike to Kauai from infested areas.
Mongoose are established on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii Island and are a threat to native ground-nesting birds.
Five live mongoose have been captured since response efforts were strengthened in 2012.
The last mongoose caught on Kauai was a pregnant female mongoose captured at Nawiliwili Harbor in 2023.
Any suspected mongoose sightings should be reported to KISC at (808) 821-1490, the state toll-free PEST HOTLINE at (808) 643-PEST(7378) or online at by clicking here.
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