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Jordan Keig August 13, 2013 Environmental Systems Mr. Schwarz

The Mongoose: An Invasive Species

The Hawaiian Islands are an extremely rare and incredible environment. Thousands of tourists are drawn to the island because of its spectacular wildlife. However, as the years pass, humans continue to effect this unique environment more and more. Humans are slowly destroying the islands in many ways, one of them being by introducing new species that are harmful to the area. The mongoose is a terribly destructive animal that was introduced to the island many years ago. Since then it has continued to reek havoc on the environment by driving endemic birds towards extinction.

The mongoose is classified under the Herpestidae family. They can be distinguished from similar animals that are members of the Viverridae family by the prescience of an anal scent gland. This is one of the most important anatomical features of the mongoose because it sets them apart from other animals such as weasels and meerkats that they were formerly classified with. Within the Herpestidae family there are thirty-seven species, eighteen genera and two subfamilies concentrated mostly in Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia

Keig 2 and southern Europe. The two subfamilies are called Herpestinae and Galidiinae. Within Herpestina, there are thirty-two species and fourteen genera and within Galidinnae there are five species and four genera.

The mongoose population is incredibly diverse. Mongooses can range from small rodents to cat sized creatures. The common dwarf mongoose weighs in at ten ounces where as the white-tailed mongoose can grow to be as big as nine pounds. Within the group, there are many other variations between the species. For example, most mongooses are terrestrial ground animals but some have become semi-aquatic, like the marsh mongoose, and some can be found nesting in the highest trees. Another difference is some species live mostly solitary lives only seeking food for themselves, while others live in groups and share all of their food. The most commonly known types of mongooses are the Egyptian mongoose of Africa and Southern Europe and the Indian grey mongoose.

The mongoose is a small carnivorous animal that originated in southern Eurasia. Overtime, they spread throughout out the world, predominately on the mainland of Africa. Today mongooses are primarily found in Africa and they populate almost the entire continent. Mongooses are native to southern Asia, Africa and southern Europe but have been introduced by humans to the islands of Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Mongooses typically live in burrows, usually the abandoned burrow of another small animal. Their most common

habitat is open forests or grassy plains. However, some species have adapted to live up in the tops of trees and others have adapted to be able to live partially in the water.

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Mongooses are short-legged animals that have small, rounded ears, pointy noses and long, furry tails. They are often times compared to weasels, although they are slightly lighter. They typically have brown of gray grizzled fur some with speckles of lighter gray fur. Some species have distinct markings such as stripes, dark legs and ringed or pale tails. They have very small legs with five non-retractile claws on each foot. These claws are primarily used for digging but are useful for hunting and attacking prey. A unique anatomical feature of the mongoose is their thick coats and acetylcholine receptors that aid them in attacking snakes, particularly cobras. The acetylcholine receptor is a neurotransmitter in the peripheral and central nervous system that renders them immune or resistant to snake venom. This is what allows them to go at their prey with such force and with such a high success rate.

Mongooses are nondiscriminatory predators which means there is not a specific species that they prey on. They feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects and eggs. However, some species have to supplement their carnivorous diet with nuts, fruits and seeds. Mongooses depend on their incredible speed and agility to capture their prey. They dart at the animal and attack, typically cracking the skull with their powerful bite. Many species are also

Keig 4 known to attack and kill dangerous snakes. For example, they are noted for throwing the bird eggs they catch up in the air towards a solid object with their forepaws in order to break them. Although the mongoose is an aggressive hunter, it is also hunted. The main predators to the mongoose are hawks, snakes and jackals.

In 1883 the mongoose was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by Japanese sugarcane farmers in hope of controlling their rat problem. The rats were also an invasive species that were unintentionally introduced to the island off of fishing boats. The rats prey on endemic birds such as the endangered Layasan duck, Layasan finch and Nihoa finch. Originally, the mongoose was introduced with the belief that they would hunt the rats and thus help to protect the endemic birds. But rats are nocturnal and mongooses are diurnal, so the exotic predators never came into contact with the rodents. Instead, the mongoose became fond of the birds eggs and proved to be equally as threatening to the endemic bird population. Because the mongoose started to threaten the native animals of the island, it became classified as an invasive species in the Hawaiian island chain.

An invasive species, also referred to as an exotic, is a term used to categorize species that were introduced to an area and began to adversely affect the native biology. Such species are either plants or animals that become disruptive by dominating a region or habitat. All invasive species have similar

characteristics that allow them to grow and thrive in new environments such as fast growth, rapid reproduction and ecological competence, or the ability to tolerate a wide range of environments. An invasive species starts as an introduced species that is typically brought to a region for economical or agricultural reasons but can sometimes be introduced on accident. These species are usually introduced with the expectation that they will improve the environment or economy. For example, biologists work to find species that may improve current environmental conditions. Other species are brought in solely for the purpose to be grown and harvested by humans for exportation and a new source of income. Sometimes they are accidentally introduced and are brought over through human movement over ships or cars. An introduced species becomes an invasive species when it can outcompete native species for resources.

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The mongoose is considered an invasive species because it devastated the population of many endemic Hawaiian birds. The type of mongoose that is most commonly found in Hawaii is the small Indian mongoose. This predator has continued to reek havoc on the endemic birds of Maui, Oahu and Molokai for centuries. After their introduction in the 1880s, the native bird populations on these islands have been crashing. Some species that have especially been hurt by the mongoose are the Hawaiian goose (Nene), the Hawaiian duck (Kolao), the Hawaiian Stilt (Ae'o) and the Hawaiian coot (Alae ke'o keno). The most important of these being the Nene, which is the Hawaiian state bird. Today, the mongoose

continues to prey on bird eggs but has begun to also prey of native nestling and turtle eggs.

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Many actions are being taken on the islands in order to exterminate this detested animal. It is especially challenging to rid of the mongoose because unlike in its original home in India, it has no natural predators on the Hawaiian Islands. Over the years, there have been many ideas to curd the invasive mongoose population, some more effective than others. Mongooses are incredibly smart animals so they tend to be able to avoid traps. Poisons are one of the common attempts at expunging the animal from the islands. More effective methods that have been recently introduced are mongoose-proof fencing and expensive eradication programs. These efforts help to keep mongooses out of nature sanctuaries and reserves. Wildlife officials are trying to draft an environmental impact statement that will enable them to expand their efforts to rid of the mongoose. Although the state has tried very hard to abolish this invasive species it introduced decades ago, most efforts have failed and these destructive animals continue to spread across the islands, damaging more and more as they go.

Originally, the island of Kauai was spared from the devastation caused by the mongoose. There are two theories as to why Kauai was formerly saved from the presence of the mongoose. First is that the residents of Kauai were opposed to introducing it, so the animal was thrown overboard on the ships and drown.

Second is that the first mongoose to enter the island bit a dock worker and in anger, we threw every cage containing the animal into the harbor. Regardless of the story, the mongoose was never introduced to the island of Kauai. Because of this, endangered endemic birds such as the treasured Nene were able to thrive on the entire island. This bird is incredibly rare on the Hawaiian islands with mongooses, but on Kauai the goose was so abundant that it posed a threat to airplanes. However, in May of 2012, an organization fighting invasive species on Kauai captured a live mongoose. THis male mongoose was found in a trap at the Kauai Lagoons resort in Lihue and became the first mongoose trapped on the island. The island reacted immediately and sprung into action with intensive trapping efforts and timely responses to every report of a mongoose sighting. Currently, biologists have no war of knowing exactly how the animal was able to reach the island, but they have hypothesized that it was over a ship transporting goods from one island to another.

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Another mammal that is similar to the mongoose in its destructive nature is the feral pig. Like the mongoose, the feral pig has no natural predators on the island so it is able to thrive and destroy the ecosystem.

Mammals are not the only type of invasive biology causing destruction in Hawaii. Many species of plants have been introduced for specific reasons but have ended up hurting Hawaii's biodiverse environment. Some examples of other influential invasive species are the Fire Tree and the Strawberry Guava. The Fire

Keig 8 Tree was first introduced to the islands in the nineteenth century. It was brought from the Azores as an ornamental plant and for firewood. However, the tree began to form monocultural stands that limited resources for wildlife that depended on dead plants and openings. This endangered native plants on young volcanic sites, lowland forests and scrublands. The Strawberry Guava was also introduced to the islands in the nineteenth century. This plant was brought to the island for the purpose of cultivation and exportation. Although it brought economic prosperity to many native farmers, it now poses a major threat to Hawaii's unique wildlife. The rare flora and fauna that makes up the island is put at risk by the shade-casting thickets with dense mats of surface feeder roots that are created by the Strawberry Guava. The introduction of plants like these are harmful to the already delicate wildlife found on the Hawaiian island chain.

Invasive species threaten the rare biodiversity of Hawaii by altering the habitat, acting as competitors or predators and by causing diseases. Invasive species can reshape an ecosystem in many ways based on how they interact with their new surroundings. This can lead to limiting the amount of resources available to native species. Another factor that can result in the reduction of resources is competition. In many cases, the introduced species is more equipped for the environment than the endemic species and outcompetes them for food and other necessities. Also, newly introduced predators can destroy native populations and even drive them into extinction. This is especially destructive because often times, the native species have not had time to adapt

Keig 9 and develop defense mechanisms to protect themselves against invasive species. Also, native species typically do not have enough time to develop immunity to foreign disease that are carried by invasive species. The lack of time needed for adaptation is one of the main causes of death and extinction of native wildlife threatened by the new species.

Invasive species are not only affecting the at risk plants and animals of Hawaii, but also are hurting the overall environmental and human health and are rendering the tourism and agricultural industries. Invasive insects have a huge impact on the inland ecology, crops and human health. For example, the introduced coffee berry borer is known to destroy entire crops of coffee and the introduced small hive beetle is known to sabotage beehives and honey production throughout the state. Not only do new species hurt the environment, they can also damage the economical aspects of the community. Allowing invasive species to continue to spread and propagate throughout the islands poses a serious threat to many industries. For example, the taro root, a staple Hawaiian crop, has been put at risk by invasive snails and insects. In 2002, the Taro Aphid, a nonnative snail, was responsible for a ninety percent crop reduction. This devastated many local farmers and continued to harm the economy.

The establishment of these adverse species is a prime example of how humans impact the environment around them. All invasive species start as a new

plant or animal being brought over for human benefit. Typically, people bring over new species because they believe that it will help them succeed economically. However, in many cases, the idea backfires and ends up doing more harm than good. Humans are already affecting the island in so many ways, through erosion, urban development and tourism. All of these factors are taking away from the extraordinary habitat; the fragile environment cannot stand against the consequences of introducing a risky species. People have almost complete control over what is introduced to the islands. They can control whether or not new flora and fauna is allowed to enter the island and they can regulate transpiration vessels to ensure that nothing is accidentally introduced to the island. The struggle to exterminate problematic, invasive species is incredible and the humans populating and visiting the islands are responsible.

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Residents of Hawaii are trying to counteract their disturbances through conservation programs across the island. The Hawaiian Invasive Species Council (HISC) is an executive level program that deals with invasive species prevention, control, research and public outreach. They were established for the special purpose of aiding state departments and federal agencies for the control and eradication of invasive species throughout the state of Hawaii. The program was formed in 2002 when the State Legislative Reference Bureau identified a number of gaps in invasive species management. The HISC was created in order to address these voids. They work in conjunction with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture to adequately attend to

Keig 11 the problems at hand. The HISC hopes to implement statewide prevention programs and research new methods for eradication in order to halt the expansion of invasive species. However, poor economic conditions have resulted in state funding reduction and, therefore, have influenced budget cuts. These budget cuts are continuing to affect the efforts to fight invasive species in the area.

My first recorded sighting go a mongoose in the red manual was at Hanuma Bay. Hanuma Bay, or "The Toilet Bowl", is a curved bay that makes up a southwestern portion of the Koko rift. This bay is famous for its clear water and abundant wildlife. The beautiful conditions of the bay attract an insane amount of tourists. In the 1980s, the park averaged up to three million tourists a year. This led to the gradual destruction of parts of the reef. However, environmental scientists began to realize the problem and immediately took action. IN 1967 Hanuma Bay was declared a marine-life conservation districts and since then the park sees only about 8,000 visitors a year. The reduction in human impact on the park has helped to ensure that the wildlife of the park continues to flourish. When I visited the park I was able to see how abundant the wildlife was and saw many different animals and plants. When I was done snorkeling at the bay, I was eating lunch by a forested area where I spotted about four mongooses. They were running around and play-fighting with each other. They were not at all how I expected a mongoose to look; they were more like squirrels than fierce predators. Initially, I didn't think much of the sighting because I had no idea how

destructive and influential this species was.

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I observed the mongoose in its natural habitat on the island of Oahu. Because of this invasive species, the island has a very small population of endemic birds. One bird we noticed was not present was the Hawaiian goose, or Nene bird. The Nene is the Hawaiian state bird and is a very valued part of the culture. The only place we visited where Nenes were abundant was the Military Academy in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This was mostly because the park is able to monitor the area and keep the mongoose population under control. Being able to observe the Nene in their natural habitat is an incredibly unique experience that would not have been possible is mongooses inhabited the area. The Hawaiian goose is a beautiful and fascinating bird and it is a shame that their population has been rendered so greatly because of the pesky mongoose. The future of the Nene as we know it is uncertain due to the harsh environment they exist in and predation from the mongoose and other animals. The Nene is an incredibly important part of the Hawaiian island, not only is it a cultural symbol but it is also a rare endemic species. The Nene is found exclusively on the islands of Maui, Kaui and the big island but is most abundant in Kauai because the mongoose was not originally introduced to that island.

Another invasive species that we were able to observe was the invasive snails in the taro fields. The taro fields we went to were on the island of Maui but this is a common crop throughout the state of Hawaii. The taro root is an

Keig 13 important part of the Hawaiian culture. It was brought from Tahiti by early Polynesian voyagers. Taro is a staple food in the Hawaiian diet and is used in the famous native dish, poi. When we went to work in the taro fields in Hana, Maui we talked to a woman who owned a family taro farm. The farm had been in her family for over seven generations. This farm had been the main source of income over the years and has helped them to prosper throughout generations. The woman working at the farm mentioned how their crops had been attacked in recent years by a pesky introduced species. This invasive species was a type of snail that laid its eggs on the taro roots and then they would invade the entire crop, making it unable to harvest. While we were working in the fields, some of the roots that we pulled out had bunches of small pink eggs which we later learned were the snail eggs. The family that owned the fields had invented a pesticide that could help get rid of these animals that were destroying their crops. The invasive snail is yet another example of an introduced species gone wrong on the Hawaiian Islands.

These instances have influenced me a lot and made me realize how detrimental humans can be to their environment. People introduce new species with only the concern of how it will affect them personally, not how it will effect the environment around them. If it were not for the human forced introduction of the mongoose to the islands, many species of unique endemic birds would still be thriving. The state of Hawaii is such a fragile and diverse environment and the slightest interruption to the ecosystem can cause an extreme issue. Also, they

Keig 14 wildlife in Hawaii is unlike anything that can be found in the rest of the United States. There are so many efforts and precautions being taken to help and preserve it but this hard work could disappear in an instant if an invasive species begins to take over. The introduction of new species is almost completely in control of the people that populate the area. Introduced species can be controlled by monitoring the traffic coming to and from the island to make sure that no invaders were aboard the transportation. Also, before introducing a new species for agricultural or economical reasons, environmental scientists need to evaluate all the potential repercussions that the new animal or plant could have on the environment. Humans have been influencing the island ever since the first Polynesians set foot on it. Now it is up to the people living there to start impacting in a positive way.

Keig 15 Bibliography "Mongoose (Herpestes Javanicus)." Mongoose (Herpestes Javanicus). N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"NATURALLY SPEAKING: The Mongoose: A Maui Menace." NATURALLY SPEAKING: The Mongoose: A Maui Menace. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"Mongoose." (Helogale Parvula). N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"Mongoose." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"An Invader Advances in Hawaii." Green An Invader Advances in Hawaii Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"Hawaiian Creatures - Small Asian Mongoose." Hawaiian Creatures - Small Asian Mongoose. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"Right Now." Kitv.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013. "Mongoose Captured on Kauai for the First Time." Honolulu Star-Advertiser. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.

"Hawaii Invasive Species Council." (HISC). N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.