HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is reminding the public to report any suspected illegal activity after a recent disturbing incident involving an io, or Hawaiian hawk.
Last month, wildlife officials said a hawk was found in Mountain View emaciated and missing a portion of its beak.
The resident who found the bird contacted the Hawaii Wildlife Center (HWC), which reported it to the DLNR divisions of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW).
Officials determined the hawk was injured by a human, and it had to be euthanized because it could no longer feed itself.
HWC said it previously received a tip the previous week about a Craigslist posting offering a free hawk, which had similar injuries to the rescued bird.
Officials said it’s unclear if the incidents are related.
“We’ve received several reports in recent years of shootings and other harmful misconduct aimed at Hawaiian hawks,” said Raymond McGuire, a wildlife biologist with DOFAW. “We can all contribute to the protection of our native io and stop the trend of abuse if we keep our eyes open and speak up.”
In Hawaii, endangered wildlife like the io carries state protections. Hawaii Revised Statutes prohibit the taking of endangered or threatened species, which includes harming, killing, or otherwise disrupting them, officials said.
Any abuse can be reported to the 24-hour DLNR enforcement hotline at (808) 643-3567 or using the DLNRTip app.
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