DOFAW Issues Statement Regarding Reports of Big Cat on Hawaiʻi Island

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) issued the following statement in an effort to  update the community about recent “big cat” sightings across Hawaiʻi Island.
“The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife has looked into reports of a ‘big cat’, but without clear photographs or video it’s impossible to make any determinations.  DOFAW staff maintained bait stations and game cameras for three-weeks in the Hōlualoa area, where an animal was first photographed. Staff only saw pigs and small cats in their images. Sightings reported from all over Hawai’i Island, are unlikely due to the distances and terrain even a large animal would need to traverse. The Hawai’i Dept. of Agriculture (DOA) has authority over this type of situation. Please direct inquiries to DOA.”