Predator Removal
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A predator removal plan was developed in coordination with DLNR, FWS and multiple external organizations in New Zealand who provided technical feedback. Based on monitoring results and regulatory restrictions, a combination of diphacinone in bait boxes, as well as live traps are being used to remove rodents, and live trapping is being used to remove larger animals such as dogs, cats and mongoose.

Diphacinone is a type of rodenticide that is proven safe to use in public areas and around bird species. It was recently trialed on islets near Kaua‘i and Moloka‘i will likely be used at Ka‘ena. The effects of diphacinone on non-target species, such as birds and marine organisms, have been studied extensively and found to be minimal or non-existent. For example, a Pueo (Hawaiian Owl) would have to eat 81 pounds (100 times its body weight) of dead rats laced with rodenticide before it became ill.

Pest removal operations are expected to be completed in the fall of 2011.  As of May 2011, all large animals (dogs, cats and mongoose) have been successfully removed from the reserve and the remaining efforts are now being focused on the rodents which are done to the last 1% of their previous population sizes.