on Kaua'i one of the mongooses bit a dockworker, who, in a fit of anger, threw the caged animals into the harbor to drown. Introduction to Okinawa In Japan, the mongoose was introduced onto Okinawa Island in 1910 and Amami Ōshima Island in 1979 in an attempt to control the population of the venomous snake Protobothrops flavoviridis, an endemic species, and other pests, but they have since become pests themselves. Introduction to Dalmatian islands In Dalmatia, the mongoose was introduced to the island of Mljet in 1910, by order of the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture. After quarantine, seven males and four females were released near . Between 1921 and 1927, they were introduced to Korčula (1923), Pelješac, Brač (1926) and Šolta. The ultimate goal of the introduction was the control of the Vipera ammodytes population, which was especially high on Mljet. In about 20 years, it decreased significantly after which mongooses started preying on local resident and migratory birds, as well as domestic poultry. Around 1970, the mongoose inhabited Hvar and spread rapidly. It did not survive on Brač and Šolta, but it did appear on Čiovo. The mongoose is locally called "" and is not protected on Mljet since 1949, but considered vermin. For some time, bounties were offered as well. Neither wildfires nor hunting nor introduction of wild boars to the island helped reducing its population. Behaviour and ecology The small Indian mongoose uses about 12 different vocalizations. Diet In Pakistan, the small Indian mongoose feeds primarily on insects including dragonflies, grasshoppers, mole crickets, ground beetles, earwigs and ants. It also preys on lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis), short-tailed bandicoot rat (Nesokia indica), Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), Indian gerbil (Tatera indica) and house mouse (Mus musculus). Scat collected in Pir Lasura National Park contained remains of black rat (Rattus rattus), small amphibians, reptiles, small birds, seeds of grasses and fruits. Faecal pellets found near burrows in Gujarat contained fish scales, feathers and remains of insects in December and plant matter also in spring. Diseases Small Indian mongooses in northern Okinawa Island were found to be infected with Leptospira and antibiotic-resistant strains of Escherichia coli. The small Indian mongoose is a major rabies vector in Puerto Rico, but transmission to humans is low. References Mammals of the Caribbean Urva (genus) Fauna of Croatia