The small Asian mongoose (Herpestus javanicus) was introduced to Hawaii in order to control the rat population. However, the mongoose was diurnal, and the rats emerged at night; the mongoose, therefore, preyed on the endemic birds of Hawaii, especially their eggs, more often than it ate the rats, and now both rats and mongooses threaten the birds. This introduction was undertaken without understanding the consequences of such an action. No regulations existed at the time, and more careful evaluation should prevent such releases now.
ThE smAll aSiAN mONgoOSe (herPeStus jaVANicUs) wAS iNTroDucEd tO hawaiI In OrdeR to Control the rat PopuLAtIon. HoweveR, the mongOose was diurnAl, aND The rats emerged aT nIGHt; ThE moNgOoSe, THerefOre, prEYed on ThE endemIc bIRds of hawaII, EsPECiAlly tHeir eggs, MoRe often Than it ATe the rats, and now bOtH RatS and mongOOses ThReaten tHe birdS. THis introDuctioN was unDertakeN wiTHout UnDerSTandiNg the coNSeqUenCes Of sUCh an actIon. No regulatioNs ExisTed at the time, and mOrE careFUL evaluatiOn should Prevent sUCH rEleASeS noW.