Hawaiian Monk Seal Updates

From Hotline to Hospital: Caring for R419

November 13, 2024

Every sighting matters. That’s the message we live by and promote, especially when it comes to Hawaiian monk seals—one of the world’s rarest marine mammals. Thankfully, an Oʻahu community member took that message to heart recently and hopefully helped save a seal’s life.

On October 30, a concerned citizen reported an unhealthy looking seal at Iroquois Point in ‘Ewa Beach, Oʻahu. The photos they sent indicated the seal was in severely poor body condition. We confirmed the seal was R419, a young male that we tend to see infrequently. We kept an eye on him since mid-September due to several injuries, but his condition now required intervention.

Our trained responders, with support from our grantee partner, Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response, immediately launched a same-day critical mission to save the struggling seal. Given the urgency of R419’s condition, we coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, who arranged a same-day flight aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point. This rapid response was possible due to the steadfast partnership between NOAA and the Coast Guard, whose readiness to support conservation missions exemplifies their commitment to preserving our local endangered species.

They flew R419 to Hawaiʻi Island for evaluation and medical care at The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian monk seal hospital, Ke Kai Ola, in Kona. There he is undergoing diagnostic tests and receiving essential care to aid in his recovery. The Center, known for its expertise in monk seal rehabilitation, will provide the specialized support needed to restore R419 to health at Ke Kai Ola, with hopes of ultimately returning him to the wild.

Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) to our community for their unwavering support. Efforts like this wouldn’t be possible without timely reporting. 

You can help protect Hawaiian monk seals like R419 by reporting sightings to the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840. 

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Hawaiian Monk Seal Yearling RS52 Checks in for Emergency Care

October 28, 2024

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We and our partners launched a special intervention mission to rescue a yearling Hawaiian monk seal on Maui, October 17, 2024.

Hawaiian monk seal RS52, a juvenile male born on Lanaʻi, was identified in late September as losing significant weight. Over the next few weeks, he became progressively less energetic and continued to thin.

Rescue Mission

Rescuing a seal can be challenging and involves a high degree of planning and coordination. It can be difficult to predict when or where a seal will be spotted. Sometimes they haul out at spots that aren’t easily accessible. They might also leave before responders arrive. 

So when volunteers with The Marine Mammal Center located RS52 hauled out on a West Maui beach, our joint experts quickly put their plan in motion. We successfully collected him with the help of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and the Center. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point then transported RS52 from Maui to Hawaiʻi Island for emergency care at the Center’s Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian monk seal hospital and conservation program in Kona.

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RS52 is undergoing testing to determine the best possible care for his recovery. In the meantime, he is under the watchful eye of the Center’s team, who is providing him with food and monitoring his health. 

The community’s timely reports and vigilant monitoring were critical to RS52’s rescue. You can help care for endangered Hawaiian monk seals by reporting all monk seal sightings to our statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840.

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Supporting Seal Pup Survival

September 13, 2024

Three malnourished Hawaiian monk seal pups were rescued from Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), last month, during NOAA Fisheries’ annual field camp in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This enormous rescue and ongoing rehabilitation effort was made possible through broad collaboration involving the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Marine Mammal Center. The pups are now receiving expert care at the Center’s hospital, Ke Kai Ola, in Kailua-Kona. 

Read more about the pups’ treatment

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Pup PO10 Headed to Safer Shores

July 31, 2024 

NOAA Fisheries and partners successfully relocated the male Hawaiian monk seal pup, ‘Iliʻili (PO10, now known as RT58), from Sand Island State Recreation Area to a more remote Oʻahu beach. His birth brought joy and excitement, but the bustling environment of Sand Island posed several risks to his safety and well-being—including potential interactions with humans and entanglement. 

Mother seal RH58 (Rocky) weaned ‘Iliʻili on July 26, after nursing the pup since June 20. This move aims to give ʻIliʻili the best chance at a safe future and natural development away from the risks at Sand Island. 

We safely collected ʻIliʻili on July 30, with support from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR), and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement. 

After an overnight stay at NOAA’s monk seal holding facility, ʻIliʻili received two types of tags: a temporary satellite tag so that we can collect data on his location and movements post-release, and flipper tags to aid in his long-term identification.

Our team carefully transported ʻIliʻili to his new beach home today, where he spent a few minutes getting used to his new surroundings and then made his way to the water!

We are keeping a close eye on ‘Iliʻili post-relocation to make sure he is adjusting well in his new environment. Our partners at HMAR and other organizations will also assist with monitoring efforts from a distance over the next few weeks.

You Can Help!

Mahalo for helping Hawaiian monk seals like ‘Ili‘ili by reporting all seal sightings, fishing responsibly around seals, and being a pono pet parent—keeping dogs leashed and cats indoors.

July 24, 2024

On June 20, 2024, RH58 (Rocky) gave birth to her 15th pup, PO10, on Sand Island State Recreation Area in Honolulu, Oʻahu. She previously gave birth on Kaimana beach in 2017 and 2022, with all other pups born on Kauaʻi. PO10 is the first pup born at Sand Island—a male recently gifted the name ‘Ili‘ili. The pup's name means small, smooth stones or pebbles—a nod to his mom, Rocky.

Learn how NOAA Fisheries names seals

Toward the end of the pair’s nursing period (5–7 weeks after birth), ‘Ili‘ili will be ready to start his next chapter as an independent seal. Mom, Rocky, will go out to forage at sea again to regain her weight.

Providing the Greatest Chance for Survival

Sand Island is a favorite local spot, but for a curious Hawaiian monk seal pup, this area poses multiple risks to the pup’s survival. Based on these risks and interagency team assessments, NOAA Fisheries has decided to relocate ‘Iliʻili after weaning. He will move to a more remote Oʻahu shoreline, as we’ve done with previous pups born in high-risk areas. We believe this move gives ‘Iliʻili the best chance to grow up wild and healthy.

One concerning issue for the pup is growing up in a busy urban environment, like Sand Island State Recreation Area. The presence of overnight campers, fishermen, and beachgoers poses a risk for interactions between the pup and people sharing a small sandy beach. Hawaiian monk seals are curious by nature—and young pups even more so. A young seal that receives interactions from people—such as attention, play, or being fed—will continue to seek out humans for these interactions. Once the seal grows and matures, that behavior can be a human safety risk. 

Additionally, Sand Island is located within Honolulu and is close to busy shipping ports with large ships. This presents vessel strike and entanglement risks for the pup as he ventures out to different areas post-weaning.

In general, young Hawaiian monk seals face threats to their survival regardless of where they grow up. But each time we identify a seal that may need intervention, we conduct a careful and thorough risk assessment. We carefully investigated known risks and challenges in the case of ‘Ili‘ili as we considered his relocation and the best place for him after weaning.

Over the next few weeks, NOAA Fisheries and our partners will continue monitoring Rocky and ‘Iliʻili for their health and determine when mom and pup have become independent seals, indicating when ‘Iliʻili can safely be moved. Once relocated, the new beach will remain undisclosed for the pup’s safety. 

Together, we can all help reduce threats to monk seals and support the endangered species’ recovery. Help ‘Ili‘ili and other endangered Hawaiian monk seals grow up healthy and wild by:

• Following marine wildlife viewing guidelines
• Fishing responsibly around monk seals
• Reporting marine wildlife harassment

• Keeping dogs leashed and cats indoors

   

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R8HA Receiving Life-Saving Care

July 16, 2024

Caring for Hawaiian monks seals takes a village. When Hawaiian monk seal R8HA’s health recently took a turn for the worse, multiple partners from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Marine Mammal Center, U.S. Coast Guard, and community volunteers joined us to get him life-saving care. R8HA isn’t out of the woods yet, but the young male’s appetite has improved, which is a hopeful sign.

Read more about R8HA’s treatment

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RA20 Freed From Entanglement

July 10, 2024

Our stranding network partner The Marine Mammal Center recently responded to a report of a Hawaiian monk seal entanglement on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach, Hawaiʻi Island. When they arrived, they found the female adult seal with an unusual entanglement—a blue nylon boat strap cinched tightly around its waist. 

While none of our combined team knew just how RA20 managed to get into such a bind, we knew the entanglement had to come off! RA20’s body already had abrasions from the strap, and it was unlikely to loosen on its own. Over time, the strap would likely cut into the seal’s body, posing a risk for injury and infection—and even potentially preventing RA20 from swimming and foraging properly. 

Fortunately, the Center had specially trained responders on the island who were ready to help. Using a seatbelt cutter, the responders carefully cut off the boat strap and freed RA20 from entanglement!

You can protect monk seals and other marine wildlife from these kinds of situations by stopping debris from entering the ocean. 

Learn more about marine debris

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Waikīkī Pup Paʻaki Enters New Phase of Life

June 13, 2024

NOAA Fisheries and partners have relocated the female Hawaiian monk seal pup Paʻaki from busy Kaimana Beach, Waikīkī, to a more remote Oʻahu shoreline.

Mother seal RK96 (Kaiwi) weaned Paʻaki on June 9, after nursing and caring for the pup since May 1.

The new location will allow Paʻaki to grow up wild, offering more frequent opportunities to engage with other seals than with people. This is important for the young pup’s development.

We carefully collected Paʻaki with on-the-beach support from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR), and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, the evening of June 12.

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We then transported Paʻaki to our NOAA facilities for an overnight stay in a large enclosure built for monk seals. This morning, we applied flipper tags and a temporary satellite tag so we can monitor Paʻaki as the pup explores her new home. Paʻaki was assigned RT96 as a permanent NOAA Fisheries ID. The pup also received a vaccination to protect against morbillivirus, or phocine distemper. We also collected biomedical samples as part of our population health monitoring efforts for this endangered species.

Learn how NOAA names seals

The next stop for Paʻaki was the new beach. Once released, Paʻaki headed for the water!

We will track the pup’s movement patterns for several weeks to months using the satellite tag. HMAR and partners will also help monitor the pup. Together we’ll share updates to the community, through various media channels, on how Paʻaki is settling in.

To minimize stressors to monk seals, we generally do not publicly disclose their real-time locations. In keeping with this policy, we are not sharing the relocation site for Paʻaki at this time. We appreciate your understanding!

Hawaiian monk seals like Paʻaki are found nowhere else in the world, so it is very special to see them in person. Show your kōkua by being respectful around these seals and other marine wildlife!

Learn about respectfully viewing Hawaiʻi marine wildlife

June 12, 2024

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Lei Day pup PO5 (Paʻaki) is six weeks old today, and the young pup is officially weaned! We’re also excited to confirm that Paʻaki is a female—which is hopeful news for continued Hawaiian monk seal population recovery! 

Our partners, Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), have been monitoring the pair. HMAR reported that mother seal RK96 (Kaiwi) separated from Paʻaki on June 9. Monitoring continued through June 10 to confirm the weaning. 

This is an important milestone for Paʻaki and mother RK96 (Kaiwi) because it marks the end of their time together during the nursing period. Kaiwi may return to Kaimana Beach after weaning Paʻaki, but now mom and pup are both independent seals.

We’re grateful to HMAR, whose volunteers provided daily monitoring and outreach; DLNR, whose conservation officers conducted safety patrols; and the City and County of Honolulu, whose lifeguards and park personnel shared key safety messages with beachgoers. We’re also grateful to the community here who have supported the pair in person and online—watching out for them, respecting their space, and educating others during this critical time.

From Weaning to Plans for Growing Up Wild

Throughout the nursing period, a mother monk seal will not leave her pup to forage for food. Instead, she will stay with her pup and fast until she has used up her energy reserves. At this point, the mother will abruptly wean the pup. The pup then becomes an independent seal and must learn to survive on its own. The mother, having lost substantial body mass, will go out to forage again. Over the next 1–3 months, she will regain her weight, molt, and become receptive for the next pregnancy. 

Hawaiian monk seals are curious by nature—and young pups even more so! Unfortunately, urban and heavily populated Waikīkī is not an ideal environment for an impressionable young pup.

Habituation is one of our most concerning issues with leaving Paʻaki in a year-round busy environment like Kaimana Beach. A young seal that receives positive interactions from people—such as attention, play, or being fed—will continue to seek out humans for these interactions. Once the seal grows and matures, that behavior can be a human safety risk. The seal may rely on people for interactions—rather than other seals in the wild. The seal may also fail to develop food-foraging skills—to the point of depending on people for food or becoming aggressive toward people for food.

Identifying these concerns, we conducted a careful and thorough risk assessment evaluating the dangers and benefits of intervention. Based on that assessment, we will be relocating Paʻaki to a more remote Oʻahu shoreline, as we've done with previous Waikīkī-born pups. We believe this move is best for Paʻaki based on the risk assessment. It will allow Paʻaki to grow up wild rather than in the crowds of beachgoers in Waikīkī.

The new beach will remain undisclosed for the pup’s safety. But we can confirm it offers more frequent opportunities to engage with other seals than with people, which is important for the young pup’s development.

In general, young Hawaiian monk seals face threats to their survival regardless of where they grow up. These threats include entanglement or ingestion of fishing gear, dogs roaming off leash, intentional harm, and disease, like toxoplasmosis. We did our best to carefully assess known risks and challenges as we considered the best place for Paʻaki at this time.

How You Can Help

Help Paʻaki and other endangered Hawaiian monk seals grow up healthy and wild—and support the population’s recovery—by:

• Following marine wildlife viewing guidelines
• Fishing responsibly around monk seals
• Reporting marine wildlife harassment
• Keeping dogs leashed, and cats indoors

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RL72 Headed for Papahānaumokuākea

June 18, 2024

After a successful journey to Kamole (Laysan Island), we're happy to report 5-year-old Hawaiian monk seal RL72 is exploring his new home and meeting some new seals! Our field team will continue to watch his explorations through sightings and data from the temporary satellite tag. So far, we’ve seen RL72 exhibiting normal behavior and focusing his attention on other seals—which was the goal for him to thrive as a healthy, wild seal.

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June 7, 2024

RL72 is headed to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, today, in a safety-related translocation effort. The 5-year-old male seal is traveling with our field staff to Kamole, also known as Laysan Island, where he’ll join the current estimated population of more than 200 Hawaiian monk seals.

RL72’s move was prompted by a pattern of escalating underwater interactions with divers and snorkelers off the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island. We received initial reports of the seal approaching divers and nipping fins and dive equipment in the Makako Bay area in December 2023. The reports included an incident in which RL72 bit a diver on the head (non-serious injury). We reviewed footage of that incident and did not observe any indication the diver had been interacting with the seal or provoked the bite in any way. RL72’s behavior was very concerning, and cause for potential intervention.

To Move or Not to Move

Any time we identify a seal that may need potential intervention, we conduct a careful and thorough risk assessment. In RL72’s case, we actively monitored the seal to determine whether a move was necessary for the seal’s long-term welfare and for public safety. We established serious behavior triggers that would prompt intervention, including behavior that posed a risk of serious injury or drowning to humans.

We also worked closely with partners to provide guidance on what to do if RL72 approached people underwater. We stressed backing away from the seal, not engaging him from any distance, and exiting the water if RL72 was present. We hoped that RL72 would lose interest in people and instead interact with other seals.

Unfortunately, RL72’s interactive behavior with ocean users increased and escalated. He continued to follow ocean users during the day and at night, biting gear, nipping at arms, and attempting to mount scuba divers. We reviewed multiple videos of divers ignoring and swimming away from RL72 when the seal approached, but RL72 pursued them, biting at dive gear and attempting to mount them. In one instance, RL72 mounted and held onto a diver during a daytime dive. In another instance, RL72 bit a snorkeler on the back, deep enough to penetrate their wetsuit and cause a puncture injury.

Taken together, the combination of RL72 holding onto people underwater and biting unprovoked presented the risk of seriously injuring or drowning people and prompted intervention. We asked The Marine Mammal Center, our Hawaiʻi Island partner, to collect RL72 at a safe opportunity. Conditions aligned on June 4. The Center’s trained responders from its hospital Ke Kai Ola successfully and safely collected RL72.

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RL72 will join a previously scheduled departing vessel and make a 2-day journey to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. We believe that in this remote location—away from people and surrounded by many more monk seals than at Hawaiʻi Island—RL72 has the greatest chance at returning to normal wild seal behaviors. 

How You Can Help

When monk seals develop naturally in the wild, they do not typically engage with humans. Their behavior can change, though, if people provide positive reinforcement, such as food or social interaction—like approaching or following seals.

It’s important to keep your distance and not interact with monk seals at any stage in their lives. Seals are innately curious—especially when young. Once a seal has established a behavior pattern of interacting with humans, it can be extremely hard—and potentially impossible—to change the seal’s behavior. And when it comes to adult seals, which weigh 400–600 pounds, even innocent behaviors can pose very serious dangers.

If you are underwater and see a seal, it might be tempting to get a closer look. But for the seal’s well-being and your safety, don’t do it!

Help monk seals stay wild by always:

• Maintaining a distance of at least 50 feet at all times (150 feet from moms with pups)
• Moving away if a seal approaches you
• Exiting the water if a seal pursues you
• Keeping food sources to yourself

Spearfishers: Learn about extra tips for you 

You can also protect these native seals by calling our NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline, (888) 256-9840, to report:

• Monk seal sightings
• Injured, stranded, or dead seals
• Seal interaction incidents
• Suspected illegal behavior toward seals

Disturbing a monk seal’s natural behavior can be harmful to the animal and can put you on the wrong side of the law. Remember, the ocean is their home, so let’s work together to share the sea and shore safely!

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Death of Newborn Pup on North Shore of Oʻahu

June 20, 2024

NOAA Office of General Counsel Jointly Charges Two Oʻahu Residents

NOAA’s Office of General Counsel has jointly charged two Oʻahu residents with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act by causing the unlawful take of a marine mammal in May 2024.

In accordance with the Act and NOAA’s Policy for the Assessment of Civil Administrative Penalties and Permit Sanctions, Lesley Macpherson and James Armstrong Lyman were jointly assessed a $20,000 civil penalty in the case of an attack by unleashed dogs causing the death of a Hawaiian monk seal pup. 

Under NOAA’s civil procedure regulations, individuals have the right to challenge both the allegations charged and the civil penalty assessed in the Notice of Violation and Assessment, and may request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

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.

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 NOAA Office of Law Enforcement 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.

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RK96 (Kaiwi) and New Pup Make Debut in Waikīkī

May 1, 2024

RK96 (Kaiwi) gave birth to her third pup on Kaimana Beach, Waikīkī, and her sixth pup overall. Give the pair 150 feet of space—for your safety and theirs—as they nurse in the area for the next 5–7 weeks. 

Check out feature story
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RS10 Successfully Treated for Ingested Fishing Hook

April 9, 2024
 

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On March 16, 2024, State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) staff and volunteers on Kauaʻi reported that 8-month old Hawaiian monk seal RS10 was resting on the sand—with about 30 feet of fishing line trailing from his mouth!

When fishing line is seen going into a monk seal’s mouth, the hook is generally either lodged somewhere in the mouth itself, or, even more concerningly, ingested. An ingested fishing hook is life-threatening for a monk seal. The hook can prevent the seal from eating properly. It can also cause internal damage that can lead to a seal’s death. Rescue was in RS10’s best interest since removing an ingested hook is complicated and not something that can be done on the beach.
 

Rescue

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A combined team from NOAA and DLNR successfully rescued RS10 on March 21 and the United States Coast Guard transported RS10 to The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola monk seal hospital on Hawaiʻi Island the next day.

Successful Hook Removal
 

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The Marine Mammal Center’s veterinary team took radiographs (X-rays) and confirmed that a fishing hook was lodged in the seal’s esophagus. The Center’s team used special dehooking tools to safely remove the ingested hook while RS10 was under anesthesia. RS10 recovered well from his procedure, and received fish and anti-inflammatory drugs to aid in the post-recovery process.
 

Back Home!

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On April 4, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard transported RS10 back to Kauaʻi, where he was successfully released near his capture location. RS10 has been spotted after release looking healthy now that he is hook-free. 

Our thanks to the Kauaʻi community volunteers, DLNR, the U.S. Coast Guard, and The Marine Mammal Center for making RS10’s recovery possible! Help save a life and keep seals hook-free by following these FAST tips for Fishing Around Seals and Turtles.

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Learn more about RS10’s treatment at The Marine Mammal Center's Ke Kai Ola hospital
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Research Efforts for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery in Progress!

January 17, 2024

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Have you ever seen a seal from a safe distance and noticed a strange-looking device or instrument on its upper back? These devices, known as telemetry tools, help NOAA in the research, conservation, and recovery of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Telemetry tools bolster the study of monk seals' habitat use, foraging behaviors, travel distances, and underwater life in general.

NOAA is partnering with University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Ph.D. student Kirby Parnell to gather acoustic data from these seals, like their underwater vocalizations, soundscapes, and responses to man-made sounds. Over the upcoming months, you may see NOAA staff interacting with one or two Hawaiian monk seals on Oʻahu to place temporary telemetry devices on them. These instruments include a video camera, satellite tag, depth sensor, accelerometer (a device that measures how fast something is speeding up or slowing down), and a hydrophone to collect underwater sounds. In short, these instruments provide a “bird’s eye view” of seal behavior while they’re at sea! 

Team members will sample seals to track population health, including Toxoplasma gondii. This research will support conservation and management priorities, such as ongoing health monitoring, foraging, and habitat use research.
 

Are These Instrument Tools Permanent? 

No, instruments placed on the seals are temporary. The video camera and hydrophone component will only be on the seals for a short period—approximately 3 to 5 days. NOAA staff will retrieve the instruments so they can access the information collected. The small satellite tag will remain on the seal collecting location data for approximately 3 to 4 months until it falls off on its own, usually when the seal molts. 
 

How Does NOAA Retrieve the Telemetry Tools From the Seals?

The instrument packages include satellite and VHF (radio frequency) components that allow NOAA scientists to track the seals’ movements and general location. Researchers will review that data to identify a sandy seal hauling location where teams can safely and quickly remove the instruments. 
 

How Can You Help?

Report Hawaiian monk seal sightings to the NOAA Fisheries Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840! If that seal happens to have a telemetry device on their back, you could be helping this important research effort!
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Archived Updates

• Hawaiian monk seal updates 2023
• Hawaiian monk seal updates 2022
• Hawaiian monk seal updates 2021
• Hawaiian monk seal updates 2020
• Hawaiian monk seal updates 2019
• Hawaiian monk seal updates 2018