Live goats caught at Big Island park to be distributed to public
COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
The DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife announced today that goats will be trapped and removed from the park and that it will “distribute these animals to permitted members of the public.”
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a lottery to distribute live goats to be removed from the Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
The DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife announced today that goats will be trapped and removed from the park and that it will “distribute these animals to permitted members of the public.”
The park, on the west side of Hawaii island, is an important cultural and historical location that used to be a hub of political and religious activity, the department said. The park is currently overrun by invasive goats, which will be removed to protect it.
To obtain live goats through the salvage project, held by DOFAW and Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, members of the public can apply for permits, which will be issued through a random lottery at the Kamuela DOFAW office on July 28.
The department will be distributing between 20 and 50 goats per permit and anticipates at least 700 goats to be removed from the park.
Permit applications will be free and available on the DOFAW website or at the Kamuela and Hilo DOFAW offices. They must be received by the offices or postmarked by July 21 and can be delivered in person by appointment only. Application instructions can be found online.
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DOFAW will publish the results of the lottery online on the day after the drawing. The winners will be selected for 30-minute slots on the day of the distribution, during which they can enter the park to pick up the live goats. Applicants must indicate how many animals they intend to receive, although cannot choose individual goats. DOFAW said winners “will receive animals as they are sent down the chute.”
Lottery winners must have, at minimum, a 16-foot enclosed horse trailer equivalent to pick up the goats. Only one trailer is permitted per application, and trailers must be fully closed to ensure animals do not escape. DOFAW may refuse to issue a permit if it deems a trailer to be insufficiently secure.
Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will close on August 11 to distribute the goats.
For any questions or further information, the Kamuela DOFAW office can be reached at (808) 887-6063.
