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State of Hawaii <br />Department of Land and Natural Resources <br />Report to the Federal Court on Mauna Kea <br />Sheep and Goat Eradication <br />January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. <br />A. Introduction <br />In 1979, the United States District Court for the <br />District of Hawaii (Court) issued an order for the <br />complete and permanent removal of feral sheep (Ovis <br />aries) and goats (Capra hircus hircus) from palila <br />(Loxioides bailleui) critical habitat on Mauna Kea. The <br />order directed the State of Hawaii to cease the <br />unlawful take of palila caused by the indirect effect <br />of feral sheep and goats damaging palila critical <br />habitat. The State was also ordered to initiate <br />habitat restoration actions in palila critical habitat <br />and to support the recovery of the bird. This initial <br />court order was followed by a similar order in 1987 for <br />the complete and permanent removal of mouflon sheep <br />(Ovis ammon) and mouflon/feral hybrids. This report <br />summarizes sheep and goat control efforts in palila <br />critical habitat for the period of January 1, 2014 <br />through June 30, 2014. <br />B. Public Hunting <br />During the report period, public hunting remained open <br />daily with no bag limits in effect for sheep and goats, <br />and there were no restrictions on the age or sex of <br />animals harvested Public hunting will continue on a <br />liberal schedule. <br />C. Staff Shooting <br />DOFAW staff conducted aerial shooting operations <br />monthly from January to June in 2014. Six trips <br />totaling 12 days were undertaken. A total of 519 sheep <br />and 2 goats were removed from the mountain. <br />D. Harvest by Hunters <br />