The Mokio Preserve in Molokai now has a new 5,600-foot-long conservation fence, which has been built over four years to protect seabirds from predators. This $1 million fence stretches along the length of the wildlife sanctuary, covering nearly 100 acres of elevated land. It is constructed of Aquamesh and is designed to safeguard endangered seabirds from threats such as feral cats, mongooses, rats, and mice.
The fence is part of a restoration initiative to convert former ranch land into a dune ecosystem that supports endangered plant and pollinator species unique to Hawaii, as well as provides a secure habitat for seabirds.
Mokio Preserve has been identified as one of the “Top 5” priority locations for seabird restoration across all U.S. Pacific islands. Seabirds play a crucial role in coastal and island ecosystems, as their droppings fertilize coastal plants, forests, and nearshore waters. Healthy seabird populations also contribute to the health of coral reefs and fish populations in the vicinity.
“Mokio is a special place and it has been phenomenal to see the transformation from a degraded area to thriving native coastal strand habitat with blooming native species carpeting the ground,” said Butch Haase, executive director of Molokai Land Trust, in the news release. “It is now possible to stand in the middle of the project and see only native species and ocean, giving people a chance to experience what Hawaii used to be like. It is our hope that seeing this restored land will inspire others to do the same elsewhere across our islands.”
The executive director of Molokai Land Trust expressed excitement about the area’s transformation, and hopes that the restoration of this land will serve as inspiration for similar efforts across the islands.
Read the full story at Honolulu Star Advertiser HERE.
