Learn Hawaiian Monk Seal: ハワイのアザラシを学ぶ

14/06/2024

Pa`aki Good Luck at a new home

12/06/2024

Waikīkī Pupdate 🦭: It’s official! Lei Day pup PO5 (Paʻaki) is six weeks old today—and the pup is now an independent seal. Mom RK96 (Kaiwi) separated from the pup on June 9 as part of the weaning process. We and partners continued monitoring for the past couple of days to confirm the weaning.

We’re also excited to share that Paʻaki is a female! The birth of a female is always hopeful news for the continuing growth and recovery of this endangered population!

Waikīkī is a challenging place for curious young monk seal pups to develop because of the crowds and risk of habituation. To give Paʻaki the best chance at growing up wild, we will be moving the seal to a less populated and less urban location on Oʻahu, like we’ve done for the previous Waikīkī-born pups. Learn more: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/endangered-species-conservation/hawaiian-monk-seal-updates %C4%ABk%C4%AB-pup-pa%CA%BBaki-enters-new-phase-of-life

You can help Paʻaki and other monk seals grow up healthy and wild by:
✅Following marine wildlife viewing guidelines (keep a distance of at least 50 feet in general, and 150 feet from mother/pup pairs)
✅Fishing responsibly around monk seals
✅Reporting marine wildlife harassment
✅Keeping dogs leashed, and cats indoors

Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) | Hawai'i Marine Animal Response - HMAR | Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Division | Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation

11/06/2024

31/05/2024

Every year, field staff are stationed at remote locations in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to assess the status of Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtle populations.

29/05/2024

😀🦭

25/05/2024

So sad about PO7. Just born then dog attacked to kill😭

UPDATE: June 3, 2024

Dog Attack is Confirmed Cause of Death for Pup PO7

Based on a post-mortem examination, NOAA Fisheries has determined that Hawaiian monk seal pup PO7 died from injuries associated with a dog attack. Puncture wounds on the pup occurred prior to death and were consistent in size with bites from a dog. Hemorrhaging found in the pup’s body was consistent with shaking from a dog attack. As a matter of procedure, biological samples were submitted for analysis; however, the post-mortem examination, in this case, allows us to confirm the cause of death.

We can also confirm that the pup was a female—making the loss even more impactful. Female seals are critical to the recovery of this endangered species. PO7 could have grown up to be a monk seal matriarch—birthing generations of new seals—so the pup’s death is a heavy loss to the population and conservation efforts.

The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the pup’s death, and an individual is cooperating with law enforcement officials. No further details are available at this time.

This is the third known death of a monk seal resulting from a dog attack in the main Hawaiian Islands. In 2014, pup RFX4 was killed on Kauaʻi, and in 2023, pup RS48 (Hoʻomau Lehua) was killed on Oʻahu.

We ask pet owners statewide to protect monk seals and other native wildlife by adhering to their county’s leash laws. Even a well-trained dog could react unpredictably when encountering a wild seal.

Help our monk seal population by reporting all Hawaiian monk seal sightings, injuries, and strandings to our statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840. In Hawaiʻi, leash laws are enforced by state, county, and Humane Society officials. Safety issues regarding off-leash dogs can be reported to your local police department and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources at (808) 643-DLNR or via the DLNRTip app.

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May 24, 2024

We are reporting the unfortunate death of newborn Hawaiian monk seal PO7. The pup was born to mother RN58 (Luana) on the North Shore of Oʻahu, and the pair were first sighted on May 23, 2024.

The death was reported as an alleged dog attack occuring the evening of May 23, 2024. NOAA Fisheries is conducting a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death. The incident has been referred to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, who is investigating the incident. No further details are available at this time.

March through August is peak pupping season for Hawaiian monk seals. To give these pups the best chance at survival, it is important to give mothers with pups at least 150 feet of space and keep dogs leashed when at the beach.

Help protect these endangered native seals by reporting all monk seal sightings, injuries, and strandings to our statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840.

📷 Hawaiian monk seal RN58 (Luana) and her newborn pup, PO7, on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Credit: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (NOAA Fisheries Permit #24359)

24/05/2024

23/12/2023

MONK SEALS: WHISKER DETECTIVES

Explore the captivating world of Hawaiian monk seals this holiday season! Did you know their abundance of whiskers, known as vibrissae, serves as a super-sensitive tool for hunting prey in murky waters, at night, or in deep waters with little light? These unique 'whisker detectors' help monk seals detect subtle prey movements, making them expert hunters.

In addition to their whiskers, while they don’t have external ear flaps, monk seals actually have small ear openings that function seamlessly both in and out of water. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season filled with joy from the HMAR team.

09/12/2023

07/12/2023

チャーリーが今日の朝11時45分に虹の橋渡ってベルちゃんのところへ行ってしまいました🌈🐈
たーくさんの愛ありがとう❤️ママっ子のチャーリー永遠に愛しているよ