Hawaii Island reserves temporarily closed for animal control

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state will close Hawaii Island reserves July 1-2, for animal control activities.

Crews will target feral goats, sheep and sheep hybrids from the ground and from the air.

This is to protect Palila, a critically endangered native forest bird.

Control efforts will take place within critical palila habitat areas, including:

• Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A)
• Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K)
• Pilila Mitigation Lands
• Kaohe Game Management Area (Unit G)

For more information on public access, you can visit the Division of Forestry and Wildlife website.