Nearly a year after a mysterious large cat was first said to be lurking in the hills of upcountry Maui, the state's hunt for it has been called off. State officials have conducted an intense search for the animal. They've spent tens of thousands of dollars, brought in mainland experts and set up traps. They've used infrared cameras, devices to capture paw prints and scented Velcro to snatch samplings of fur. They've sent out helicopters and search teams and even broadcast sounds imitating an injured animal, in hopes of convincing the cat that dinner isn't far away. Still -- no cat's been found. Board of Land and Natural Resources chairman Peter Young says the hunt's being called off because of the manpower required. He says the animal may have moved elsewhere, is being confined by its owner or is dead. Young says the state will step in again if credible evidence emerges.

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