Back From The Brink, Hawaiian Goose (nene)

Fossil records show that the Nene, or Hawaiian Goose was once abundant and widespread throughout Hawaii. “Following excessive hunting and loss of habitat just 20 to 30 individuals remained in 1949. Hunters targeted birds during the breeding season when they were particularly vulnerable. Today the main threat to this species comes from a lack of suitable habitat and from introduced animals such as mongooses, feral dogs and cats, which prey on eggs and young birds….The nene has been rescued from the brink of extinction by a long-running conservation programme. Breeding programmes in both Hawaii and at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Britain have been working to breed captive birds for release into the wild.” In 2011, the population was estimated at around 2,500 birds.