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Rehabilitated Hawaiian Monk Seals Return to Kuaihelani

Three monk seals return to Midway Atoll at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument after struggling with malnourishment. They now have a second chance at survival.
April 05, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Hawaiian monk seal with satellite tag swimming in the waters after being released back into the wild. Rehabilitated Hawaiian monk seals explore their new habitat after a successful release into the wild at Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). Credit: USFWS/Andy Sullivan-Haskins (NOAA Fisheries Permit #24359)

How One Health Benefits Hawaiian Monk Seals

One Health Month highlights threats to monk seals and how you can help.
March 24, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
cat near seal

Meet Some of Our Hawaiian Monk Seal Matriarchs

Honoring trailblazing female monk seals who have significantly helped build the seal population in the main Hawaiian Islands.
March 23, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Hawaiian monk seal and her pup snuggling on each others neck in the waters by the rocks. R006 relaxes with one of her many pups at Kalaupapa, Molokaʻi. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Is It a Seal or a Sea Lion?

Seals and sea lions are both pinnipeds, but there are distinct characteristics to tell them apart.
March 22, 2023 - Feature Story ,
National
Infographic showing illustrated seal and sea lion and describing the differences between the two animals, such as ears, body size, flippers, etc. At first glance, seals (true or “earless seals”) and sea lions look fairly similar. Taking a closer look, these are some of the general differences to tell these animals, such as on the harbor seal (left) and California sea lion (right) pictured above.

Famous Waikīkī Pup Gives Birth Outside of the Spotlight

North Shore students gift name Uʻi Mea Ola to first Oʻahu monk seal pup of 2023. 
February 23, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Black Hawaiian monk seal pup laying on its back on the left and mom on the right resting on the beach. res Hawaiian monk seal RJ58 (Kaimana) and her pup. Credit: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (Permit #24359)

50 Years of Protecting Marine Mammals

A look at the Marine Mammal Protection Act's many advancements and accomplishments in the last 50 years.
February 02, 2023 - Podcast ,
National
Pair of bottlenose dolphins Pair of bottlenose dolphins. Credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Lisa Morse.

The Monk Seal Chronicles: Mimi and the “Monk Seal Matriarchs”

Special guest biologist Mimi Olry joins the podcast to discuss her experiences working with Hawaiian monk seals on Kaua‘i—especially individual “monk seal moms.”
January 30, 2023 - Podcast ,
Pacific Islands
A Hawaiian monk seal rests on the beach at the edge of the waves with a small, darker pup by her side. Female Hawaiian monk seal RO28, one of the “monk seal matriarchs,” and her pup on Kaua‘i. Credit: Val Bloy

Celebrating 50 Years of Marine Mammals in the Spotlight

NOAA Fisheries celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This landmark legislation protects all marine mammals in U.S. waters, including four Species in the Spotlight.
October 19, 2022 - Feature Story ,
National
5184x3456-mom with twins.jpg Hawaiian monk seal Mom (GV18) with rare twin pups in May 2019 on Lisianski Island. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Pete Leary.

How to Save an Island From Climate Change

A group of NOAA experts and partners have taken on the monumental task of protecting a small Hawaiian atoll from climate change.
September 15, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Rainbow in the background with plenty of flying albatross. Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) is one of the world’s largest tropical seabirds rookeries, but climate change threatens the atoll’s seabirds and other animal inhabitants. Credit: NOAA

Conserving Hawaiian Monk Seals Through Protections and Vaccinations

In 2022, NOAA Fisheries celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act by highlighting conservation and research efforts to protect Hawaiian monk seals.
August 30, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
Stacie Robinson, a NOAA biologist, vaccinates a Hawaiian monk seal basking on the island of Oahu in 2016 using a syringe on the end of a pole Stacie Robinson, a NOAA biologist, vaccinates a Hawaiian monk seal basking on the island of Oahu in 2016 using a syringe on the end of a pole. Credit: Barbara Billand. Activities performed under NOAA permit 16632.