A study of the "whole" animal and its environment, including: population genetics and dynamics, modelling population viability, feeding ecology (plant-animal interactions), mate choice, dispersal, and the ontogeny of predator responses. This project, now in its 8th year, has uncovered a series of potential reasons for the continued need for remedial management action and has encouraged managers to implement recommendations.

We uncovered six limiting factors that are likely to be still affecting recovery of the species; there is scope for

• maximising genetic diversity in wild flocks through strategic translocations of eggs and adults

• training captive-reared goslings in predator avoidance skills prior to release

• intensive habitat management to enable the acquisition of adequate fat and nutrient reserves

• intensive predator control

• community education

• further financial and community support

There are fewer than 900 Hawaiian Geese remaining in the wild. Future studies will include Population Viability Analyses, social aspects of foraging ecology and distribution, gosling diet deficiencies, and cultural transmission of habitat shifts and local movements.