In 1868, Hong Kong gifted Hawaii 8 axis deer in goodwill; their descendants now number about 60,000 and damage crops, native plants, and forests
Hawaii's axis deer began as a small gift. Today they strip bark, trample soil, eat crops, and the herds keep growing. Here is what it means for the islands.
In 1868, Hong Kong presented Hawaii with eight axis deer as a gesture of goodwill. Over time, their offspring have reached an estimated 60,000 today, causing significant damage to crops, native plants, and forests. According to a U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet, Hawaii's native plants have evolved without grazing animals, making them susceptible to these browsing threats.
Originating from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, axis deer were later introduced to Lānaʻi in 1920 and Maui in 1959. Unlike Hawaii's previous lack of land mammals, the arrival of hooved animals led to rapid damage. Introduced species have caused the extinction of about 10 percent of native Hawaiian plants since 1778, with axis deer contributing to this issue.
These deer damage crops, native plants, and ornamental plants, as well as strip trees' bark and even consume tree bark during severe droughts. Bucks also damage trees by rubbing their antlers against them, killing mature trees. Deer contribute to soil erosion along their trails and pose collision risks with cars on roads. Reports from Maui have long documented deer presence in lower, dry forest areas, especially during droughts when they seek water and green grass.
East Molokaʻi has experienced the consequences of browsing and packed-down soil caused by feral pigs, goats, and axis deer, which have transformed a rainforest into grassy scrubland. Silt runoff from this altered land threatens the island's southern coast coral reefs. Hawaii lacks natural predators for introduced herds, allowing populations to surge by 20 to 30 percent annually.
Female axis deer can breed as young as 4 to 6 months old, with over 90 percent of mature females giving birth to fawns in abundant food years. Fences have proven insufficient, as axis deer can easily leap over four-foot-high barriers. State agencies are currently raising existing fences to eight feet in height. A 2021 study by Steven Hess and Seth Judge in Pacific Science examined Maui, estimating nine deer were introduced in 1959, though over 10,000 deer now roam the island, with numbers reaching as high as 60,000 in 2022 and approximately 26,000 in 2025.
Simulations suggest that even removing 10 percent of the herd annually would not halt population growth. However, reducing numbers by 20 to 30 percent per year with increased female removal may yield real progress. Despite differing opinions, some hunters pursue axis deer for food, while others face crop losses and note the thinning of forests.
The story underscores the lasting impacts of well-intentioned actions and the challenges of managing relocated species, emphasizing the importance of long-term protection for native plants, soil, and reefs.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
