• Home
  • About
  • Our Seals
  • Viewing Guidelines
  • Volunteer

Kaua'i Seals

Feeds:
Posts
Comments

About

When Hawaiian monk seals haul their heavy bodies out of the surf, they move the way a caterpillar does.  That is, a caterpillar with a whole lotta blubber.  Hawaiian monk seals hump their 600-pound bodies forward with little help from their short, front flippers.

Once on the beach, Hawaiian monk seals snooze like it’s Thanksgiving afternoon—sleeping off a big feed from the deep sea, their grins evoking an enlightened sense of peace and wistfulness that we all wish we could obtain.  Don’t confuse their motionless state for anything other than rest.  Even though they spend approximately two-thirds of their life at sea, they live and breathe just fine out of the water.  They are, after all, marine mammals.

Hawaiian Monk Seal Diet

After a day lounging on the beach–with maybe the only trick these seals perform being the flick of their front flipper to scratch their sandy heads–their bellies start to grumble.  Clumsy on land, Hawaiian monk seals take to water with the greatest of ease, swimming offshore at night to forage for food at average depths of 300 feet, but, if need be, these blubber-coated pinnipeds will zip down to 1,500 feet and more for a tasty meal.  Monk seals are definitely not picky eaters, exploring the buffet line of reefs and rocks for lobster, eel, octopus and fish.  Dives average 15 to 20 minutes.

Hawaiian Monk Seals Listed as Endangered Species

On the Hawaiian Island of Kaua’i, it is not as rare as it once was to stumble upon a Hawaiian monk seal sleeping on the beach.  Does that mean the endangered marine mammal is making a comeback?  Far from it.

The total species population tallies a mere 1,400 animals.

That’s why this website exists.  KauaiSeals.com supports the efforts of professionals and volunteers alike who monitor and protect the critically-endangered Hawaiian monk seals on Kaua’i.  These marine mammals swim all around Hawai’i’s waters—from Big Island at the southern end of the island chain all the way to Midway and Kure Atolls some 1,500 miles away at the northern end.  Many teams work together to preserve this rare creature.  This website spotlights the dedicated work taking place on Kaua’i—often called The Garden Island—where at any given time some 40 to 50 Hawaiian monk seals live.

On Kaua’i, when one of these animals—from the scientific family Phocidae—hauls out on the beach, a team of volunteers dutifully ropes off the area, posting signs and answering questions from curious onlookers.

They may remind you of other pinnipeds like the sea lions that congregate on the docks of San Francisco Bay or the harbor seals that line the rocky shoreline of Monterey, yet Hawaiian monk seals are endemic to Hawaii and found nowhere else in the world.  They are one of only two mammals native to the remote islands of Hawai’i.

Hawaiian Monk Seals Considered a “Living Fossil”

The Hawaiian monk seal has endured for 13 million years, virtually unchanged in its physiology, giving rise to the label, “living fossil.”  Thirteen million years.  That’s eight million years before Kaua’i popped above the sea.  Twelve million years before Big Island emerged.  These solitary seals have watched land appear, grow and—as it erodes—slip back into the sea.  They have also watched as humans discovered these tropical isles.

The seal’s common name derives from its round head and folds of fur around its neck, similar in appearance to a medieval friar.  Too, the name mirrors the solitary existence that these seals live–once weaned–much like that of their namesake.

Physical Description of Hawaiian Monk Seals

Weighing 25 to 30 pounds at birth, these seals wear a coat of black fur that is shed within a few weeks after entering this world.  As the natal fur falls out, dark gray hair pushes through on the dorsal side and creamy white fur replaces the black on the pup’s underside.  During the five to seven weeks after birth, mom sticks close to her pup, nursing it on the beach and exploring the nearby water and reef.  The entire time, mom forgoes her own feeding, slowly wasting away to a bag of bones before hunger finally drives her to the sea.  Once that happens, the pup is on its own.

As the seal ages, its fur weathers to a varying shade of brown and the animal grows to six to eight feet and weighing in at 500 to 700 pounds.

Threats to Survival of the Hawaiian Monk Seal

Known to the native Hawaiians as ʻilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “dog that runs in rough waters,” the Hawaiian monk seal received its scientific name, Monachus schauinslandi, when Dr. H. Schauinsland discovered the first skull known to science on Laysan Island in what is now the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

While it may seem seals are popping up left and right here on Kaua’i and the other main Hawaiian Islands, they are still America’s most endangered marine mammal and the second-most endangered on the planet.  Overall, they number some 1,400, with 85% of the population located in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, where their plight is not nearly as rosy as it is here in the Main Hawaiian Islands.

According to the Marine Conservation Biology Institute, over the last 50 years, the Hawaiian monk seal population has declined by more than 60% and is now at its lowest level in recorded history. There is no one reason why.  It’s a complex problem.  Scientists mention overfishing that leads to starvation, especially among pups; marine debris entanglement that leads to drowning; habitat loss; shark predation; aggressive male behavior; harmful algal blooms and loss of habitat due to climate change.

That said, the species experienced a 3% growth in the three years spanning 2014 to 2016.

Protection and Raising Awareness for the Hawaiian Monk Seal

In 1976, the Hawaiian monk seal was designated an endangered species and is, therefore, protected by the Endangered Species Act—as well as the Marine Mammal Protection Act—which makes it illegal to harass, capture or kill one of these rare pinnipeds.

To help raise awareness of the plight of the Hawaiian monk seal, on June 11, 2008 by Lieutenant Governor James Aiona declared the Hawaiian monk seal as Hawaii’s official State Mammal and designated the third Saturday of every April as “Hawaiian Monk Seal Day.”

What to Do if You Encounter a Hawaiian Monk Seal

If you come across a seal on the beach, about the only trick you’ll see them perform is brushing their face with their flipper.  That’s because when seals haul out, they do so to rest. If they are disturbed–by us, our dogs or otherwise–they made head back into the water too soon.  A fatigued seal is much easier prey for sharks than a rested one.  So give resting seals wide berth.  It’s actually the law.  As an endangered animal, it is illegal to disturb them.

Here are some responsible viewing guidelines from NOAA Fisheries:
1. Keep a safe distance. For seals, that’s a minimum of 30 feet, but each seal’s response will be different and moms with pups might need a much greater distance. Specifically, do not chase, closely approach, surround, feed, swim with, or attempt to touch marine wildlife. Use binoculars or telephoto lenses to assure a good view from the recommended distances.

2.  In the ocean, monk seals may exhibit inquisitive behavior.  Do not attempt to approach these seals or “play” with them.  The seals may misinterpret your actions and could cause serious injury.  Cautiously swim back to shore or your boat and watch them from a safe distance.

3.  Do not attempt to push seals back into the water.

4. Use extra caution in the vicinity of mothers and young and in other sensitive wildlife habitat used for feeding, nursing, resting or avoiding predators.

5.  For your safety and their protection, never entice marine wildlife to approach you.

6.  Be careful not to surprise marine wildlife.  Loud noises and abrupt movements can startle and stress wildlife, which can react unpredictably, harming themselves or you.  Disturbing wildlife interrupts their ability to perform critical functions such as feeding, breeding, nursing, resting or socializing.

7.  When in the presence of monk seals, please remember to keep your pet on a leash at all times in order to protect against injury and the transmission of disease between seals and pets.

You can help, too.
1. Whenever you come across seals on the beach, report sightings by calling 808-651-7668—but do not approach or disturb them;
2. Learn about monk seals and their need for protected habitat;
3. Help control marine debris; dispose of rubbish carefully; reduce, reuse, recycle.

_MG_1399

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

1 Comment »

One Response

  1. on November 22, 2017 at 8:26 pm Volunteer Poipu with the Beach in View! - Volunteer Kauai

    […] Monk Seals – https://kauaiseals.wordpress.com/about/ Phone: […]



Comments are closed.

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Archives

    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • October 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • November 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • October 2014
    • May 2014
    • January 2014
    • August 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • September 2012
    • July 2012
    • April 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • November 2010
    • September 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
  • Categories

    • 3CU
    • 3CX
    • 6FA
    • 6FD/6FH
    • 7AU
    • G13
    • G28
    • K52/K53
    • K54/K55
    • K56/K57
    • Kaikoa/A00
    • Ke Kai Ola
    • KG54
    • KP2
    • Mahalo-eha/RA36
    • Momona/RA20
    • N1AA
    • NGOO
    • NH00
    • NL04
    • Noho/RA16
    • PK5
    • Pohaku/RO28
    • R00K
    • R012
    • R028
    • R1KD
    • R1KM
    • R1KT
    • R1KU
    • R1KY
    • R1N1
    • R1NS
    • R2XS
    • R2XW
    • R313
    • R316
    • R330
    • R332
    • R336
    • R339
    • R340
    • R347
    • R351
    • R353
    • R367
    • R371
    • R376
    • R3CD
    • R3CX
    • R400
    • R402
    • R406
    • R407
    • R4DD
    • R4DP
    • R4DW
    • R4KI
    • R5AY
    • R5EW
    • R6AP
    • R6AW
    • R6FM/6FN
    • R6FQ
    • R6FY
    • R7AA
    • R7GM
    • R8HD
    • R8HE
    • R8HP
    • R8HY
    • RB00
    • RB14
    • RB24/Haupu
    • RF22
    • RF28
    • RF30
    • RF58
    • RG13
    • RG22
    • RG28
    • RG58
    • RH38
    • RH58
    • RH80
    • RH92
    • RI15
    • RI37
    • RJ22
    • RJ28
    • RJ36
    • RK02
    • RK05
    • RK12
    • RK13
    • RK14
    • RK22
    • RK28
    • RK30
    • RK31
    • RK36 (4DI/4DJ)
    • RK42
    • RK58
    • RK90
    • RKA2
    • RKA4
    • RKA6
    • RL08
    • RL10
    • RL14
    • RL17
    • RL24
    • RL28
    • RL30
    • RL40
    • RL52
    • RL58
    • RM28
    • RM36
    • RM58
    • RN02
    • RN30
    • RN44
    • RO18
    • RP20
    • RP28
    • RP32
    • RQ52
    • RQ58
    • RQ60
    • RQ78
    • RT12
    • RV18
    • RW02
    • RW22
    • T319
    • T320
    • Temp 325
    • Temp 337
    • Temp 365
    • Temp361
    • Temp606
    • temp607
    • temp614
    • TempV11
    • TT40
    • Uncategorized
    • V15
    • V17
    • V2
    • V23
    • V28
    • V76
    • YF95/R8HD

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • Kaua'i Seals
    • Join 262 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Kaua'i Seals
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: