A nesting nene goose has prompted the closure of the rifle range at Maui’s Ukumehame Firing Range.

The county Department of Parks and Recreation said the goose, a member of an endangered species, was spotted wandering around the rifle range Sunday by a firearms instructor.

The instructor notified the state Depa­­rtment of Land and Natural Resources, which sent a wildlife biologist out Monday.

The biologist confirmed that there is a nene on the property and that there is also a nest on the right-hand side of the range, up against the berm. At the department’s recommendation, the county closed the rifle range while the nene continues to lay eggs.

The pistol range, clay target range and the classrooms will remain open.

DLNR officials say it will be about a month and a half before the eggs hatch and the nene family is mobile enough to be relocated or leave on its own.