Introduced predators, including cats, dogs, feral pigs, rats, and mice prey on ground-nesting birds such as Hawaii's endemic seabirds, the Newell’s Shearwaters (‘A‘o) and Hawaiian Petrels (‘Ua‘u ),  in addition to native plants and insects and other ground nesting birds. These species also face threats from light attraction and fallout, collision with power lines, and habitat degradation with the introduction of invasive weeds as well as threats in the marine environment while they are out at sea. While suitable mountain habitats exist, none of them are completely free from predators.  As a result, until the creation of this project, there were no predator-free nesting areas for these species. 

Photos: Andre Raine, Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project