Wild ungulates are known to cause a negative impact to the native ecosystem of the island of Hawai’i. The foraging behaviour of these ungulates disturb the soil, causing direct mortality of plants and facilitating the spread of invasive weeds in native ecosystems.

This story that highlights the work of Derek Risch, the project leader for the state-wide ungulate distribution project in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Hawai’i Wildlife Ecology Laboratory with Melissa Price, Ph.D.

This work uses camera traps to focus on how scientists can preserve and foster our vital ecosystems, and specifically how we can better understand the distribution and abundance of these wild ungulates and their impacts in Hawai’i native ecosystems to inform decision-making. This project looks for approaches to optimal ungulate management strategies for recreational hunting and conservation purposes across the Hawaiian Islands.