b'P R E S E R V I N G A N I C O NAttempts were made over the years to round up the wandering donkeys and relocate them to an area mauka of Waikoloa Village, where fencing could keep them mostly contained. But after a major fire swept through the area in 2006 and drought conditions became severe, the donkeys would break through fences looking for water and food, often wandering into Waikoloa Village proper. Traffic issues and resident complaints multiplied.In early 2009, one concerned Waikoloa resident, Anika Glass, formed a group called Mlama Waikoloa Nightingales to support humane management of Waikoloa donkey herds. Glass was also able to bring the Humane Society of the United States on board to help find a solution.(Glass) was also instrumental in securing the support of my practice, `ina Hou Animal Hospital, Dr. Bergin writes. I was able to donate time, services, and energy toput out food and water and humanely trapped the donkeys, help resolve the donkey overpopulation issues. then delivered 70 head to Dr. Bergin at `ina Hou Animal By the summer of 2009, in the midst of historic drought,Hospital within a two-day period. Dr. Bergin neutered the the feral donkey population reached a tipping point. Ajacks and prepared the donkeys for adoption. This was the rancher named Stan Boteilho was leasing the land (maukabeginning of what would become the largest capture and of Waikoloa Village) at the time, Dr. Bergin says, and here-homing of donkeys in Hawai`i.approached me about what to do with the 600 or so donkeysMany were adopted out to local farmers and ranchers that were roaming the land.Hkkano Ranch in Kealakekua, for example, took a Dr. Bergin toured the area on ATV with Boteilho and sawlarge number of donkeys to return them to the area they firsthand the problems facing the herd, including many thatwere from originallyand some went to rescue groups in were weak from dehydration and some that were seriouslyCalifornia. Two are at the Honolulu Zoo.injured. The impact of what I witnessed struck me to theAdditional adoption efforts were made in 2016, and now-very core of my animal husbandry upbringing, he writes.adays, Bergin says there are fewer than 100 still on Boteilhos I knew that I could not simply walk away. land. The long-term goal, says Bergin, is to keep 25 or so In November 2010, the Waikoloa Donkey Rescue andin a controlled herd on Stans land to preserve this historic Re-homing project officially got off the ground. Boteilhoand unique aspect of Hawai`i Island.9 7'