The Hawaiian Islands, renowned for their unique biodiversity, present a surprising anomaly: the widespread presence of deer. These hoofed mammals are not native to the archipelago, raising questions about how they came to inhabit this isolated Pacific paradise. Their arrival marks a significant chapter in Hawaii’s ecological history, stemming from deliberate introductions rather than natural migration.
The First Deer: Axis Deer on Molokaʻi
Deer were first introduced to Hawaii in the late 1860s (1867 or 1868). King Kamehameha V received a gift of eight Axis deer, also known as chital, from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. This diplomatic present was sent from Hong Kong.
The deer were subsequently released on Molokaʻi. The introduction served as a royal gift and a future resource for sport hunting and protein. Their transport involved shipping them from Asia.
King Kamehameha V initially placed a kapu, or protection, on the deer, allowing their population to flourish without immediate hunting pressure. This protective measure, combined with the absence of natural predators in Hawaii, allowed the Axis deer population to multiply rapidly on Molokaʻi. Within decades, their numbers grew substantially, leading to concerns about their impact on the island’s environment.
Subsequent Introductions: Other Species and Islands
While Axis deer were the first, other deer species were also intentionally brought to the Hawaiian Islands. Columbian black-tailed deer arrived on Kauaʻi in 1960 or 1961. These deer, originating from Oregon, were introduced by the State of Hawaii Fish and Game Division.
A group of black-tailed deer was released on Kauaʻi. This introduction primarily aimed at expanding hunting opportunities and diversifying game animals. Unlike Axis deer, the black-tailed deer population remained localized to Kauaʻi.
Beyond deer, other ungulates were also introduced, though not always successfully. American pronghorn antelope were brought to Lānaʻi in 1959 from Montana, but their population declined significantly and they are no longer present on the island. These varied introductions highlight a historical period where non-native species were deliberately introduced to Hawaii, often for recreational or resource-based purposes, without full understanding of the ecological consequences.
Inter-Island Translocation and Spread
Following their initial establishment on Molokaʻi, Axis deer were subsequently moved to other islands within the Hawaiian archipelago through human intervention. Before 1898, some Axis deer were transported from Molokaʻi to Oʻahu. A more significant translocation occurred in 1920 when Axis deer were introduced to Lānaʻi.
A significant inter-island transfer of Axis deer happened in 1959 when a group of animals was moved to Maui. These movements were driven by desires to expand hunting opportunities and manage growing populations on source islands. The Maui introduction, for instance, was ordered by the Territorial Government of Hawaii to establish game mammals.
While most inter-island movements were sanctioned, instances of illegal translocation have occurred. In 2009, a few Axis deer were covertly transported from Maui to Hawaii Island. This illegal introduction prompted a swift response, leading to their successful eradication from Hawaii Island within a few years. This incident underscored the ongoing challenges of managing non-native species and preventing their spread.