Nene 2021 stillatrisk

Current populations still at risk

Nene 2016 groupofthree

Vehicles pose major threat to Nēnē populations

Nene 2014 returntoOahu

Nēnē return to Oahu

Nene 2004 safeharbor

Safe harbor agreements help increase Nēnē population

Nene 1982 iwa

Hurricane Iwa starts Kaua'i Nene population

Nene 1978 released

1,761 captive-reared Nēnē released

Nene 1967 endangered

Listed under the US Endangered Species Act

Nene 1950 intercontinental

An intercontinental captive breeding effort launches

hist-5523-photo-The Movement to Preserve Hawaii’s Noble Bird, Hawaiian Annual

The movement to preserve Hawaii’s noble bird

Nene 1907 hunting

Winter hunting officially banned

Nene 1902 Rapidlydiminishing

Rapidly diminishing in numbers

Nene 1902 cry

Cry of the Nene

Nene 1864 drawing

Annual slaughter of several hundred

Nene 1923 vastflocks

Vast flocks in the interior of the island

Nene 1778 nana

"Na-na" from the journals of Captain Cook

Nene 1778 image

25,000 geese estimated to inhabit the islands

Nene 1700s eggs

Nēnē guards the land in native creation chant

Nene prehistory evolution

Nēnē evolved from the Canada goose

Goose, Nēnē Hawaiian Goose

Habitat loss

Habitat loss through activity such as urban development and land conversion to agriculture have been a historic and ongoing threat to nēnē populations. Degradation of the nene’s habitat began with the Polynesians 1,600 years ago, but accelerated upon European arrival over 200 years ago and continues today. Because of this, the areas where nēnēs can nest and shelter has become more and more limited, and local vegetation that they depend on has suffered major declines. 


Non-native predators

Because the nēnē nests on the ground, it makes them particularly vulnerable to threats from introduced predators, including dogs, mongooses, cats, and rats. Foraging and grazing animals, cattle, goats, and pigs, have also contributed to population declines.

Collisions

Nēnē families travel together, crossing highways and thoroughfares, putting them in danger of collisions with vehicles. Because their plumage has a similar color to pavement, drivers can miss them completely while on the road. After a bird is killed on the road, family members often refuse to leave the body, which results in multiple casualties in a short period of time.

Most Pressing Issues

Pacific Rim Conservation

Pacific Rim Conservation's mission is to maintain and restore native bird diversity, populations, and habitats in Hawaii and across the Pacific region.

Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program

The Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program conducts conservation projects across the State to preserve and restore endemic species. These projects include the Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers, and ʻalalā reintroduction on Hawaiʻi Island.

The National Audubon Society

The National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitats. 

American Bird Conservancy

American Bird Conservancy is a non-profit membership organization with the mission of conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Its focus is on threats to birds in the Western Hemisphere – threats which include overuse of pesticides, urban sprawl, habitat destruction, and invasive species.

How You Can Help

Nēnē, Hawaiian Goose