When it rains, the eggs wash into the ocean, exposing animals like monk seals that ingest the parasite through contaminated water and infected prey. By reported, we mean those monk seals that were reported—and identified—to the Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Hui hotline. [13], Monk seals are part of the family Phocidae (earless seals), the members of which are characterized by their lack of external ears, the inability to rotate the hind flippers under the body,[14] and shed their hair and the outer layer of their skin in an annual molt. Climate Change. And even if successful, the life-saving efforts she has undergone in treatment are intensive, laborious, risky to the animal and the caregivers. They feed mainly on bony fish and cephalopods, but they are opportunistic. The Hawaiian monk seal is the only tropical seal species left in the world and only lives in Hawaiian waters. NOAA was able to conduct a thorough post-mortem examination, thanks to prompt reporting by a member of the public. [6], Fossils of a Pliocene species of monk seal, Eomonachus belegaerensis, have been found in Taranaki region of New Zealand. [42] Little was done to protect the Caribbean monk seal; by the time it was placed on the endangered species list in 1967, it was likely already extinct.[37]. N.p., n.d. In recorded history, there have only been four seals born on the main Hawaiian islands. There are approximately only 1,200 Hawaiian monk seals left, a few are in the main Hawaiian Islands, however most are found in the northwestern end of the chain. Given the monk seal's small population, the effects of disease could be disastrous. Sole was rehabilitated at Ke Kai Ola because he was weaned from his nursing mother at an early age. Toxoplasmosis, colloquially known as “toxo,” is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite, T. gondii. Monk seals are earless seals (true seals) of the tribe Monachini. Although there is no breeding season since births take place year round, there is a peak in September, October, and November. Many of the monk seals slipping back into the main Hawaiian Islands in the early ’70s landed first on the shores of Niihau, the island closest to the Leewards. During his time at Ke Kai Ola he gained the weight necessary to survive on his own, and  was then released at his birth site. [20] Adult males are 300 to 400 pounds (140 to 180 kg) in weight and 7 feet (2.1 m) in length, while adult females tend to be, typically, slightly larger, at 400 to 600 pounds (180 to 270 kg) and 8 feet (2.4 m) in length. The Hawaiian monk seal population was hunted to near extinction during commercial sealing expeditions in the mid-19th century, and other opportunistic hunters further depeleted the surviving population during the late 1800s and the early 1900s, and the mnk seal was thought to be extinct by the early 20th century (Kenyon and Rice, 1959). However, monk seals of the Cabo Blanco colony may have a gestation period lasting slightly longer than a year. Another simple, but potentially life-saving action, is to call our Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at (888) 256-9840 if you see a seal exhibiting a behavior called “logging.” Logging means a seal is floating on the surface of the ocean (like a log or piece of driftwood), acting lethargic, and not actively swimming. [24], In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt created the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge (HINWR), which is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. This hair is replaced after 6–8 weeks by the usual short hair adults carry.[16]. The best way to help monk seals is by stopping the spread of toxoplasmosis. It has a relatively small, flat head with large, black eyes, eight pairs of teeth, and a short snout with the nostrils on top of the snout and vibrissae on each side. The species may have evolved in the Pacific or Atlantic, but in either case, came to Hawaii long before the first Polynesians. [32] These two key sites are virtually in the extreme opposites of the species' distribution range, which makes natural population interchange between them impossible. Weighing between 375-450 pounds (170-205 kg) and 7-7.5 feet (2.1-2.3 m) in length, females are slightly larger than males. This could include capturing individuals on multiple occasions to monitor for disease exposure or actual illness.The seals would have to bear the cost of this enhanced monitoring, but it may be the only way we can save lives until the source of this issue is more holistically addressed. 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