Why Mongooses Became a Problem in Hawaii

Mongooses were brought to Hawaii in 1883 to reduce the population of invasive rats that were damaging sugarcane plantations.

The idea did not work: rats are mostly active at night, while mongooses hunt mainly during the day.

Mongooses did not eliminate the rats. Instead, they became an invasive species themselves, threatening native birds and turtles. Today, Hawaii has to deal with problems caused by both species.