Question: Whatever happened to the efforts to help wedge-tailed shearwaters on Kauai after a large colony on the island’s south shore was killed by dogs and cats last year?

Answer: The state Department of Land and Natural Resources placed signs along the island’s southern coastal paths, where the coastal birds nest, asking pet owners to keep their pets away from the area.

Signs alerted people passing by that the area was used by wedge-tailed shearwaters, which nest in shallow coastal burrows, and asked that people keep their dogs on leashes and keep cats indoors, according

to Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the DLNR. The signs also asked for people to stay on the footpaths to avoid disturbing the nests.

No more kills have been reported in the area since last year’s attacks.

"However, the breeding season is just starting, with the adult birds present at burrows day and night while they incubate eggs," Ward said. "Once hatched, chicks will be in the burrows until they fledge in November or December."

The department has also placed signs at other colonies on the island and has spoken to tenants and landowners in areas where there have been issues. Over the years, the department has also issued numerous news releases to remind the public that they need to be responsible and keep their dogs and cats under control and not allow them to roam, which is a violation of county ordinances.

"Attacks are opportunistic and continue in areas where feral cats are found near colonies and in residential areas or near popular trails," Ward said. "Dog kills can easily be reduced if pet owners demonstrate responsibility by keeping their dogs in their yards and leashed while hiking during the breeding season."

The Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, which conducted field research to find out more about what’s causing a decline in the population of various breeds of shearwaters, last week released images from video shot at burrows showing feral cats entering and killing birds — even in remote and rugged rain forests where Newell’s shearwaters and other birds can be found in the mountains of Kauai.

According to Ward, there are an estimated 270,000 breeding pairs of wedge-tailed shearwaters in the state, including 40,000-60,000 breeding pairs in the main Hawaiian Islands.

Known for its moaning sound, the bird’s Hawaiian name is uau kani, or "calling or moaning petrel." The birds have broad wings and a wedge tail and are seen in light and dark color morphs.

There have also been efforts to help wedge-tailed shearwaters on Oahu where a seabird sanctuary and rehabilitation center and offshore islets are located.

Dog and cat attacks are always an issue on Oahu because the birds nest in coastal areas that now have large urban interfaces.

Hundreds of shearwaters come to Sea Life Park in need of help during fledgling season between mid-November until the beginning of January, according to Jeff Pawloski, the park’s curator.

The park’s primary effort is to assess, treat if necessary and release the birds.

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This update was written by Noelle Fujii. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To…” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4747; or email cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.