The Hawaiian Goose or Nene - The worlds rarest goose.
The Hawaiian Goose or Nene Goose - Branta sandvicensis - is a species of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It shares a recent common ancestor with the Canada Goose. The official bird of the State of Hawaii. The Nene is exclusively found in the wild of the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. This is the worlds rarest goose. Hunting and introduced predators such as mongooses, pigs and cats reduced the population to 30 birds by 1952. However this species breeds well in captivity and has been successfully re-introduced. In 2004 it was estimated that there were 800 birds in the wild as well as 1000 in wildfowl collections and zoos. However there is some concern of inbreeding due to the small initial population.
Size: 5120px × 3413px
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Photo credit: © Photography by STEVE ALLEN / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: bird, branta, endangered, geese, goose, hawaii, hawaiian, nene, rare, rarest, sandvicensis, spices, waterbird
