Cows, goats, sheep and pigs — hoofed animals — are partially to blame for the spread of rapid ohia death, the fungal blight decimating hundreds of thousands of acres of vital ohia forests on Hawaii island.

Keeping these hoofed animals out of ohia forests can help reduce the spread of rapid ohia death, according to researchers who presented their findings at the Rapid Ohia Death Symposium held at West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona on Saturday.

Rapid ohia death enters trees through wounds, and hoofed animals are helping make this possible.

Researcher Kylle Roy of the U.S. Geological Survey explained that animals that rub on the trunks, browse on the bark or dig at the roots of an ohia tree can create wounds, allowing in fungus spores.

A possible solution? Fencing.

Based on aerial surveys and on-the-ground sampling of fenced and adjacent non-fenced land in several areas around Hawaii island, researchers have found that areas protected by fencing have much less suspected rapid ohia death infestation than open areas.

Fencing native forests is also a common method for keeping ungulates, or hoofed animals out, and preventing damage to sensitive watershed areas.

“This is another reason for Governor [David] Ige’s commitment to fully protect 30 percent of our critical forest watersheds by 2030,” said DLNR chair Suzanne Case in a news release.

The symposium also included presentations on rapid ohia death, including screening, tree and wood treatments, aerial surveying, and outreach efforts, among other topics, along with a community input session.

At the community session, small groups discussed five ways individuals can help stop rapid ohia death which include: Not injuring ohia, not transporting ohia inter-island, not moving ohia, cleaning all gear and tools and washing vehicles.

State officials recently stepped up a campaign against rapid ohia death on Kauai by installing signs and boot-brush stations at key points around the island.

The two species of fungi that cause rapid ohia death, identified on Hawaii island in 2014, are new and previously undescribed anywhere in the world, with Hawaiian names — Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. Rapid ohia death was detected on Kauai, the first time outside of Hawaii island, last year.

Ohia lehua are considered Hawaii’s most important native tree because of their cultural significance as well as their role in protecting critical watershed areas.