Cat-feeding stations at Queens’ Marketplace impacting nene
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — The Department of Land and Natural Resources last week directed Queens’ Marketplace to remove cat-feeding stations in the center’s back parking lot. The marketplace did not install the feeding stations but has agreed to remove them after complaints surfaced about the negative impact they are having on Hawaii’s endangered state bird, the nene, according to a DLNR news release.
Originally placed to feed the area’s feral cat population, the stations have attracted nene that have been eating cat food from the dishes and getting into close contact with the cats. The stations will be returned to the nonprofit organization that has been feeding the cat population throughout the Waikoloa Beach Resort community.
