Threat of Axis Deer on the Big Island

[seekir]

I find it hard to buy the notion that Mr. Hauptman believed his actions would please the community. Carrying out the scheme in the clandestine manner that he did suggests he was fully aware that it would meet with broad disapproval. There is a long history of experience in the islands with ungulate introduction since the arrival of pigs brought by the Polynesians and later cattle by Capt. George Vancouver in 1793. The latter resulted in a rapidly uncontrolled cattle population explosion that became a hazard for the population and caused dramatic changes to the landscape of Hawaii. One might assert that the net results of Vancouver's action were not entirely negative, but certainly no one with any sense will deny that there were dramatic consequences to the people and landscape, many of which may have surprised the Captain who must have believed his rather casual and uncontrolled release of the animals served the interests of his countrymen and those of islanders. We, (along with Hauptman and his collaborators) on the other hand, are no longer able to plead such ignorance, having seen the changes wrought by pigs, cattle, and the other ungulates that have since been set loose in the islands. Hauptman and his supporters may object to the denunciation their reckless scheme has caused but I doubt if many of us will have much sympathy. Hopefully their unilateral decision can be rectified and they'll be forgotten along with the Axis deer they apparently felt they must have on this island.