It’s not just cats. Nine Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are killed by dogs on Kauai

Wedge-tailed Shearwater corpses after the dog attack, photograph from Archipelago Research and Conservation

The Hawaii-based environmental consultancy, Archipelago Research and Conservation (ARC) has recently reported on its Facebook page of a mass killing of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Ardenna pacifica by dogs on the inhabited island of Kauai.  “Another mass slaughter of 'ua'u kani (Wedge-tailed Shearwater) by dogs, this time on the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail - at least 8 adults and a chick. Dog owners, please keep your dogs on leash!!”

This is not the first report of dogs killing shearwaters on the island.  In 2017 a stray dog killed 32 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters within the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands (PMRF). The dog was caught and euthanized.  “Wedgies” on Kauai are also at risk to feral pigs (click here).

Free-roaming dogs have also attacked and killed breeding Laysan Albatrosses Phoebastria immutabilis and their chicks on the island on multiple occasions over the years.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 18 September 2025