Drivers asked to slow down after nene, uau killed at Haleakala National Park

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The National Park Service is urging drivers to slow down after a nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and an ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel) were hit and killed Sunday within Haleakalā National Park.

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Both birds are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. The nēnē is also Hawai‘i’s state bird.

NPS managers encourage the public to drive at or below the speed limit and remain vigilant for native wildlife on park roads.

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“We know from our traffic data that it’s not just visitors but locals who speed too,” said park superintendent Natalie Gates. “These birds have nowhere else to go, and it is our kuleana to protect them.”

The park service said in just four years, 11 nēnē and 13 ‘ua‘u were killed by motorists in the park.

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