Mongoose are becoming more of a threat to Hawaii’s native plants and animals. More so, mongoose take the opportunity at any chance they get for food. A mongoose’s menu includes birds, small mammals, reptiles, insects, fruits and plants (dlnrhawaii). Practically speaking, a mongoose will eat anything that can fit in its mouth. Also, these risk taking predators will prey on the eggs and hatchlings of native birds and endangered sea turtles (dlnrhawaii). In 1999, mongoose caused 50 million dollars in damages to Hawaii (dlnrhawaii). Already blamed for the extinction of native ground nesting birds in Jamaica and Fiji, the possibilities are endless to the effects of the troublesome mongoose in Hawaii …show more content…
More people should be aware of this gigantic issue and do more to prevent the major effects that invasive species have on the tiny islands of the Pacific and other tropical regions. People started the introduction of invasive species in the 1700s, but how did they not realize the effects of the species they introduced sooner? Captain Vancouver believed that the introduction of cattle would benefit Hawaii and it’s people, but little did he realize that cattle would later become a major problem to the environment. As cattle spread throughout Hawaii, native plants were destroyed and extinction became a factor in the life cycle of native plants (Info Grafik “Introduction of Cattle”). This problem is still effective today and continues to affect plant and animal life. People have done little to keep things like this from happening. But, people who really care about the effects of such cruel species can do something about it. They can start by fencing off areas where cattle or other problem causing animals can cause damage to agricultural regions. Furthermore, they can clean tires and shoes of invasive plant seeds that could spread to other places. But, no matter how much people do to prevent invasive species, they will always be the invader of the world. In the words of Sandy Rowley, “The only invasive species we are eradicating with pesticides, are