There was universal condemnation this week when a TikTok social media post showed visitors to the island touching and interacting with monk seals. State Governor David Ige issued a statement asking guests to the island to respect Hawaii’s endangered wildlife and confirmed anyone found breaching the rules would be prosecuted.
What are monk seals, and why are they protected?
Hawaiian monk seals are among the most endangered of all marine mammals, with perhaps fewer than 1,400 remaining. They primarily inhabit the northwestern islands, but you might come across one on any of Kauai’s beaches as they appreciate the island’s shallow, protected waters.
They are often found snoozing on the beach and use this time to rest and digest their food, safe from sea predators.
Female monk seals regularly give birth on Kauai’s beaches, where they then stay for six weeks or so to nurse their pups.
If you encounter a monk seal as you walk along the beach, please keep your distance (at least several hundred feet away) and only use a camera with a zoom lens.
Monk seals look super cuddly, but it is illegal to do anything that causes a monk seal to change its behaviour. They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, so it is illegal to harass, harm, pursue, capture, injure or kill Hawaiian monk seals. Penalties include large fines and even jail time.
If you are snorkeling or scuba diving and you encounter a seal, keep away as much as possible, even if the mammal is curious. Remember, seals are wild animals with sharp teeth.
If you have any concerns about the health or safety of a seal, you can contact the Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation Hui at 808/651-7668.
The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration veterinarians and field teams also work to rescue pups, treat injuries, and sometimes even remove eels stuck in noses! Indeed, research shows that 32 per cent of the current Hawaiian monk seal population is alive today because of medical and rescue interventions. The team:
Treats injuries
These are caused by interactions with other seals and animals, such as sharks, which can cause bite wounds and abscesses. Injuries are treated by draining and cleaning the wounds and administering antibiotic drugs.
Removes fishhooks
Fishing gear and hooks are a frequent threat to Hawaiian monk seals. Sometimes, they can remove fishing hooks on the beach. Other times, it requires anesthesia or abdominal surgery.
Monk seal vaccination
Using a pole syringe, the team vaccinates seals against morbillivirus (distemper) to prevent an outbreak from devastating the population.
Removes marine debris
Seals are curious and investigate unfamiliar objects such as floating debris and trash. The team disentangles seals and other wildlife whenever they are caught in debris.
Frees trapped Monk seals
Hawaiian monk seals often find themselves trapped, so researchers catch and carry them to freedom at open beaches.
Relocates pups
They transport pups to safer areas, away from sharks, after they wean from their mothers.
Rescues and rehabilitates
Together with The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola monk seal hospital, they rescue and rehabilitate seals suffering from malnutrition and disease.
Reunites
Often, pups are separated from their mothers or mothers switch pups. If a pup is separated from its mother or a switch is potentially life-threatening, they attempt to reunite the pup with its mom.
Medication
They give juvenile seals deworming medications to help them convert more of their calories into growth and weight gain.
Education
They provide outreach and educational opportunities to help the public learn how to coexist with monk seals on public beaches and reduce the impacts of human disturbance.
Photo by Sebastian Coman Travel on Unsplash
