FeralMap Project
A collaborative platform for tracking invasive species across Hawaiʻi to protect native ecosystems and communities through transparent, community-powered conservation.
About the Project
FeralMap is a comprehensive invasive species reporting platform developed to protect Hawaiʻi's unique ecosystems from multiple invasive threats. Building on proven community-driven conservation methods, FeralMap expands monitoring capabilities to include:
Feral Animals
- • Feral Cats
- • Feral Pigs
- • Feral Goats
- • Axis Deer
- • Mongoose
- • Feral Dogs
- • Feral Chickens
- • Roadkill
Invasive Pests
- • Coqui Frogs
- • Little Fire Ants
- • Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles
Invasive Birds
- • Rose-ringed Parakeets
- • Barn Owls
- • Cattle Egrets
Project Goals
- Protect endangered native species like Nēnē, Hawaiian petrels, and monk seals from invasive predators
- Enable rapid response to new invasive species threats through community reporting
- Support agency coordination by routing reports to appropriate authorities (HDOA, DOFAW, County Ag, 643-PEST)
- Provide data-driven insights for invasive species management across the Hawaiian Islands
- Promote humane and effective management strategies through transparent data sharing
Beta Status
FeralMap is currently in beta testing with a planned public launch on January 1, 2026. Early adopters can help shape the platform by reporting sightings and providing feedback.
Key Features
Multi-Species Tracking
Track 11+ invasive species across Hawaiʻi with species-specific reporting forms tailored to each threat's unique characteristics and management needs.
Smart Triage & Routing
Intelligent priority assessment routes urgent reports (e.g., indoor LFA nests, mongoose on Kauai/Lanai, captured coqui frogs) directly to appropriate agencies for rapid response.
Privacy-First Design
H3 hexagonal indexing visualizes animal density patterns in an easy-to-understand format, making it simple to identify hotspots and trends. Contact information is never publicly displayed, protecting reporter privacy.
Island-Specific Intelligence
Context-aware workflows adapt to each island's unique invasive species challenges, from Kauai's mongoose-free status to Oahu's LFA test kit program.
Why Community Transparency Matters
Open Data for Conservation
Unlike traditional confidential tracking systems, FeralMap embraces community transparency. All sightings are publicly visible (with privacy-protected locations) because we believe that conservation works best when everyone has access to the same information.
Benefits of Transparency
- • Empowers communities to make informed decisions
- • Enables researchers to access real-time data
- • Builds public trust in conservation efforts
- • Facilitates collaboration between agencies and citizens
- • Accelerates response to emerging threats
Privacy Protections
- • H3 hexagons visualize density without exact coordinates
- • Reporter contact info never shown publicly
- • Optional anonymous reporting available
- • Sensitive areas can be further obscured
- • Agency-only data sharing for urgent cases
Protecting Native Wildlife
Invasive species pose the greatest threat to Hawaiʻi's native ecosystems. By making sighting data publicly available, we enable everyone to understand and respond to these threats:
- • Feral cats spread toxoplasmosis, threatening Nēnē, monk seals, and false killer whales
- • Mongoose prey on ground-nesting seabirds and endangered waterbirds
- • Feral pigs destroy native forests and create mosquito breeding habitat
- • Axis deer devastate native plant communities and agricultural lands
- • Coqui frogs disrupt ecosystems and reduce property values
- • Little fire ants harm native invertebrates and create painful stings
Technology & Innovation
FeralMap leverages modern geospatial technology and user-centered design to make invasive species reporting accessible and effective:
Platform Features
- • H3 Hexagonal Indexing: Visualize animal density patterns clearly
- • Progressive Disclosure: Quick Report mode for fast submissions
- • Species-Specific Forms: Tailored data collection
- • Cross-Platform Access: Web application available now
Coming Soon
- • iOS Mobile App: Launching January 1, 2026
- • Offline Mode: Report without cellular coverage
- • Push Notifications: Urgent species alerts
- • Agency Integration: Direct routing to 643-PEST, HDOA, DOFAW
Get Involved
Join the Beta Program
Help us refine FeralMap before the January 1, 2026 public launch. Beta testers receive early access to new features, direct input on platform development, and recognition as founding contributors.
Building on CatMap's Success
Lessons from Our First Platform
FeralMap builds directly on the success of CatMap, our pioneering feral cat tracking platform that mapped over 900 colonies and collected 6,500+ sightings from 550+ contributors. CatMap proved that community-powered conservation works—and taught us valuable lessons about what makes these platforms effective.
What Worked in CatMap
- • Community reporting delivered actionable data
- • Simple, mobile-friendly interfaces maximized participation
- • Agency collaboration ensured reports led to action
- • Privacy protections built trust with reporters
- • Real-time data enabled rapid response
How FeralMap Improves
- • Transparency: Public sightings vs. confidential colonies
- • Multi-species: 11+ species vs. single species
- • Smart routing: Species-specific agency triage
- • Island intelligence: Context-aware workflows
- • Native app: Enhanced mobile experience
The Key Difference: Transparency
While CatMap used confidential colony mapping to protect sensitive locations and build trust with colony managers, FeralMap embraces community transparency. We learned that for most invasive species, public visibility of sighting data actually accelerates conservation efforts by empowering communities, enabling research, and facilitating rapid response. H3 hexagonal mapping makes it easy to visualize density patterns and identify hotspots, while reporter privacy is protected by keeping contact information confidential.
Launch Timeline
Public Launch
January 1, 2026
Species Tracked
More species modules coming in Q1 2026