Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed a new emergency proclamation Wednesday for Maui County’s axis deer problem that an explosion in population and drought conditions has exacerbated.

Maui and Molokai are being devastated by an overpopulation of axis deer. Last year during a drought, the invasive animals started entering residents’ yards, agricultural fields, developed areas and high-elevation forested land in search of food, eating everything and turning them into barren wastelands. 

Hundreds of deer have died, creating a hazard as their decomposing bodies contaminate streams and the ocean.  

The proclamation estimated there are as many as 60,000 axis deer in Maui County. Annually, hunters kill over 7,000 axis deer, but the proclamation said hunting has not controlled the population. 

Maui is currently experiencing another severe drought — although it is the rainy season. The limited rainfall during the wet season may also affect Maui when the dry season arrives. 

“These conditions have continued, and while we have made progress in addressing the issues, the new emergency proclamation is needed to help with further reduction and control the axis deer populations in Maui County,” said Gov. Ige in a press release.

The proclamation calls for immediate measures to reduce and control the axis deer population, including corralling and culling deer, clearing vegetation along fence lines, and building or repairing fences. 

The disaster emergency period extends to May 20, 2022. 

Axis deer, which originally come from India, were first introduced to Molokai in 1868 as a gift to King Kamehameha V. Populations were established for hunting on Lanai in 1920 and Maui in 1959.