CTAHR eXchange

The Honolulu Advertiser is reporting that since May 22, 2008, over 40 feral guinea pigs have been captured by Hawaii Department of Agriculture.  Most of the guinea pigs have been found in the Nuuanu area of Oahu.  From the Advertiser article:

Officials continued to catch some through last week, although the number of captured guinea pigs has declined, Cravalho said. Nine traps still remain among three of the homes, and officials are looking at expanding their surveillance to include about four more homes, he said.

It's believed that this population of guinea pigs — among the animals allowed to be imported into the state under a permit — is the result of pets (or perhaps one pregnant pet) escaping or being released.

Cravalho urged pet owners to ensure their animals are properly maintained and contained and to hand over any unwanted pets to the nearest humane society. The agriculture department will also accept exotic animals and extend amnesty to those who turn in illegal animals, he said.

"The lesson to be learned is that ... owners should be responsible in maintaining animals in a way that it does not escape into the environment," he said.

"A lot of times when these pets are released, you won't know until populations are built up what impacts it has on the environment."