Description

The Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi, is an endangered seal that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and found mostly in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

About 60 individuals reside at Midway Atoll

Adult body length: approximately 6 ft (2m). Weight: approximately 440 lbs (200 kg). Adult females generally larger than males. Pups jet black and weigh 25-30 lbs (11-14 kg) at birth. Five to six week nursing period.

The native Hawaiians call it ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “dog that runs in rough waters”

Details

  • Species:

    Other Seals/Pinipeds

Comments

  • Timothy Vogel

    http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/psd/captivecareproject.php#captivecare

    The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA has been consulting with the State of Hawaii and the Midway National Wildlife Refuge in order to extend their “animal husbandry” techniques to preserving the Monk Seal, the world’s most endangered pinniped!

    3 years, 2 months ago

  • Manuel Maqueda

    I had the fortune of snorkeling with a Hawaiian Monk Seal in Midway.

    I wish we could also see a recovery of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, which used to be common in the Western Med and the Balearics and now is almost extinct :-( http://www.bloosee.com/r/i3vRbkW

    3 years, 2 months ago

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