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Hawaii's Big Island Bans Feeding Feral Cats in an Effort to Help Endangered Native Species

At the start of the new year, Hawaii County will ban feeding feral animals on county property after the Hawaii County Council approved the ordinance in a veto-proof 6-2 vote and Big Island Mayor Kimo Alameda let it take effect without his signature.
Conservation officials say the ban protects native species like the endangered nene from an introduced predator and biologists warn feeding attracts native animals, increasing their risk.
The ordinance sets fines up to $50 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent violations, with Mayor Alameda hoping police treat enforcement as low priority; about 200 cats live at Kealakehe.
Opponents warn the ban will hamper TNR efforts, push feeding underground, and force hungry cats to hunt, while some sent hate messages and persuaded Big Island Mayor Alameda it would harm cats.
Last year a male nene was killed crossing to a Hilo feeding station, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reported a gosling died of toxoplasmosis in 2024, and Raymond McGuire, state wildlife biologist, recently found cats near Waikoloa nesting sites.

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Hawaii’s Big Island bans feeding feral cats in an effort to help endangered native species

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER and MENGSHIN LIN, Associated Press KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — Throngs of feral cats emerge from the shade of parked trucks and bushes as soon as the familiar Subaru Forester pulls into a dump on Hawaii’s Big Island. They run after the vehicle to a certain meal — a gravy train that might not be around much longer. A Hawaii County law set to take effect at the start of the new year bans feeding feral animals on county pr…

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