A parasite affecting a portion of the feral cat population is responsible for the death of a monk seal in Hawaii.
Scientists determined the seal died due to toxoplasma gondii, which reproduces in the digestive tract and is excreted through feces, Hawaii News Now reported.
The parasite lives in the tissue of rodents and small birds. Dr. Eric Ako, executive vice president of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, says about 30 percent of Oahu’s estimated 330,000 feral cats could have the disease.
There are about 100 monk seals that reside in the main Hawaiian Islands. Ako said the parasite also poses a risk to a monk seal’s unborn fetus "if she contracts the disease during pregnancy, which would then lead to serious birth defects in the fetus."
Michelle Barbieri of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program says in a short period of time, cats could put millions of parasite eggs into the environment.
"It’s washed mauka to makai in the environment," she said.
Barbieri, her colleagues and animal welfare officials are looking at ways of controlling the number of feral cats.
"Right now, we think the best mitigation strategy for these animals is to stop this at the source," she said.
Associated Press
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
2 Kauai women hurt in accident
Two 21-year-old Waimea women were injured Friday night in a traffic crash in Kalaheo, Kauai.
Just before 6 p.m., the women were heading east on Kaumualii Highway in a Toyota 4Runner when the driver lost control of her vehicle near mile marker 11.2, Kauai County said by email. She then crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a Toyota Tacoma.
The driver of the Tacoma reported no injuries at the scene. The driver of the 4Runner and her passenger were taken to Wilcox Hospital via ambulance for treatment. None of their injuries were life-threatening.
Following the crash, eastbound traffic was diverted onto Hokua Road, while westbound traffic was redirected onto Lauoho Road. The highway was reopened at 7:17 p.m.
Driver is cited in 3-car crash
A Hanamaulu woman was cited Friday for inattention to driving after she allegedly caused a three-car collision along the Wailua Golf Course near mile marker 5.5, Kauai County said by email.
The three vehicles were heading north in heavy traffic on Kuhio Highway at 11:51 a.m. when the woman allegedly rear-ended the car in front of her, which caused that vehicle to rear-end the third vehicle.
No injuries were reported and all parties involved refused medical care, the county said.
Police closed the northbound lane and diverted traffic onto the center contraflow lane. At about 12:22 p.m., after the three vehicles were moved onto the northbound shoulder, the lane reopened.
