MAKAWAO, Maui — An adult nene was killed Sunday morning after it was hit by a motorist within Haleakala National Park, officials said. And officials say the incident points to the need for park visitors to drive cautiously and avoid feeding the endangered animals, the Maui News reported today.

The death happened between 7 and 7:15 a.m. in the downhill lane of Crater Road, on a curve roughly halfway between the Halemau'u trailhead at 7,990 feet elevation and Leleiwi overlook at 8,840 feet, according to Joy Tamayose, a wildlife biologist at the park.

Nene have been struck and killed by motorists before, about once a year on average, she said, but "having even one hit is a huge loss, particular one of a breeding pair."

Poor visibility due to weather was not considered a factor in the incident, park officials said.

The park has about 250 nene within its borders, but only half of the birds are known to breed each year. October through March is the peak nene nesting season at Haleakala. The Hawaiian goose, or nene, is an endangered species on state and federal listings. It's also the state bird.

Park biologists have posted additional signs warning motorists of the birds' presence in areas where the nene have been seen in the past couple of weeks. Park officials warn visitors not to feed nene because the birds learn to approach rather than flee from cars.