Abundance and distribution of feral pigs at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, 2010-2013
Technical Report
HCSU-045
By: Steven C. Hess, Christina R. Leopold, and Steven J. Kendall
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Abstract
The Hakalau Forest Unit of the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex has intensively managed feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and monitored feral pig presence with surveys of all managed areas since 1988. Results of all available data regarding pig management activities through 2004 were compiled and analyzed, but no further analyses had been conducted since then. The objective of this report was to analyze recent feral ungulate surveys at the Hakalau Forest Unit to determine current pig abundance and distribution. Activity indices for feral pigs, consisting of the presence of fresh or intermediate sign at 422 stations, each with approximately 20 sample plots, were compiled for years 2010–2013. A calibrated model based on the number of pigs removed from one management unit and concurrent activity surveys was applied to estimate pig abundance in other management units. Although point estimates appeared to decrease from 489.1 (±105.6) in 2010 to 407.6 (±88.0) in 2013, 95% confidence intervals overlapped, indicating no significant change in pig abundance within all management units. Nonetheless, there were significant declines in pig abundance over the four-year period within management units 1, 6, and 7. Areas where pig abundance remained high include the southern portion of Unit 2. Results of these surveys will be useful for directing management actions towards specific management units.
Suggested Citation
Hess, S., Leopold, C.R., Kendall, S.J., 2013, Abundance and distribution of feral pigs at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, 2010-2013: Technical Report HCSU-045, iii, 9 p.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Organization Series |
| Title | Abundance and distribution of feral pigs at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, 2010-2013 |
| Series title | Technical Report |
| Series number | HCSU-045 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Hawaii Cooperative Studies Unit - University of Hawaii at Hilo |
| Publisher location | Hilo, HI |
| Contributing office(s) | Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center |
| Description | iii, 9 p. |
| Time Range Start | 2010-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 2013-12-31 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawai'i |
| City | Hilo |
| Other Geospatial | Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge |