Another mass slaughter of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters by domestic cats on Kauai

“A staggering 168 dead birds”, photograph from Archipelago Research and Conservation

“The 'ua'u kani (Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica) breeding season has barely started and already we have a mass slaughter event.  After receiving a report from a member of the public about dead shearwaters near Shipwreck Beach we visited the colony and found a staggering 168 dead birds.  These were all adult birds returning to their burrows to start breeding, and all were killed by cats (as clearly evidenced by the nature of their injuries and the disposition of the bodies).  This is a sadly all too familiar scene here on Kaua'i (and across the Hawaiian Islands).  Cats need to be indoors, where they are safe and not annihilating our native wildlife.  We have reported this massacre to the authorities.”

News from the Facebook page of Archipelago Rim Conservation.

As well as cats, feral pigs and free-roaming dogs have killed Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on Kauai.  Pigs have also been recorded attacking and eating Laysan Albatrosses Phoebetria immutabilis eggs on the island (read previous reports in ACAP Latest News).

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 01 May 2026