Hawaiian Monk Seal Updates
Get the latest monk seal updates from NOAA Fisheries in the Pacific Islands.
Pup RV36 Found Dead on Oʻahu North Shore
August 11, 2026
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Recently we suffered another loss to endangered Hawaiian monk seal recovery efforts. On August 5, our partners at Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) responded to a report of a deceased Hawaiian monk seal entangled in an unattended fishing net. The net was floating about 10 yards offshore, west of Mokulēʻia Beach Park on Oʻahu.
DOCARE officers and HMAR personnel retrieved RV36 and the net from the water, and HMAR transported the seal to our facilities. We identified the seal as RV36. RV36 was an approximately 3-month-old male pup born in late April at Kaʻena Point State Park.
Next Steps
Our experts will conduct a necropsy to attempt to determine RV36’s cause of death. This postmortem examination may help shed light on whether the seal’s death was caused by the entanglement, or whether other factors may have been involved.
We will share the results of the necropsy when available.
We are coordinating with DOCARE, as the enforcement lead for the state’s nearshore fisheries. Additionally, we have alerted NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement, per our standard procedures.
Learn more about Hawaiʻi fishing regulations
Protect Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals
Losses like RV36 are difficult and underscore the challenges we face for population recovery. We need the community’s help to make a difference.
If you see an injured, entangled, or deceased seal, please call the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840 immediately. Quick and accurate reporting allows trained responders to assess the situation and act quickly.
Learn more about safe practices when sharing the shore and sea with Hawaiʻi wildlife:
- Fishing Around Seals and Turtles
- Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing
- Preventing and Investigating Monk Seal Harm and Disturbance
RU02’s Death Attributed to Toxoplasmosis
August 11, 2026
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Sadly, the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis claimed the life of a second endangered Hawaiian monk seal on Oʻahu this year: RU02, also known as ʻUmiʻumi.
The one-year-old male was found dead on the North Shore in early May. Our partner Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) recovered the seal, and NOAA Fisheries experts conducted a necropsy to attempt to determine a cause of death. Recent results from the histopathology (tissue sample analysis) have now confirmed RU02 died from this preventable disease.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). It’s a microscopic parasite that only reproduces in the intestines of one host—cats. The infectious eggs enter the environment through cat feces. Warm-blooded animals like RU02 are infected by ingesting food or water contaminated by the eggs.
Toxoplasmosis is one of the leading causes of death in monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands, killing at least 17 seals since 2001. Once infected, the parasite can cause rapid and severe inflammation and dysfunction in a seal’s vital organs, including the brain, heart, liver, and lungs.
While NOAA Fisheries actively monitors seal populations, tracks health trends, and responds to stranded animals, there is currently no vaccine or cure for toxoplasmosis. Protecting the population is a matter of prevention.
How You Can Prevent Future Deaths
Protecting seals starts at home. Keep cats indoors for their safety and to stop the parasite eggs from washing into our watersheds and reaching the ocean (where they can survive up to two years!).
It’s a simple action that also protects other native Hawaiian species, humans, and our entire island ecosystem.
And remember, report all seal sightings to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840. Your call could save a life!
Learn more about toxoplasmosis and its effects on Hawaiʻi marine wildlife
Partner Response to R421 on Molokaʻi
July 21, 2026
Often our local monk seal partners aren’t just responders, they’re also reporters.
Recently Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) Molokaʻi lead Todd Yamashita was picking up trash in the Moʻomomi area of Molokaʻi when he made a sad discovery. Yamashita found the heavily decomposed remains of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal—prompting a joint agency response.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement responded. Additionally, our partners from DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources and Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) conducted an on-site post-mortem examination and collected tissue samples for analysis. We identified the seal as adult male R421.
No cause of death was immediately apparent.
Given the seal’s advanced state of decomposition, determining a cause of death may not be possible. Natural decay alters tissue over time, making it more difficult to identify injuries, disease, or other indicators that could lead to a definitive determination.
While there was no obvious indication of human involvement, we alerted NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement per our standard procedures.
We’re grateful to our Molokaʻi partners at HMAR and DLNR for their quick response and their ongoing efforts to support population recovery and community outreach for these endangered native seals.
Be a First Reporter
Timely and detailed reporting is critical for our response efforts. Anyone who comes across an injured, entangled, or dead seal should report it immediately to the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840.
Hawaiian monk seals are protected under state and federal law. Anyone who has information on suspected harassment or harm should contact NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement: (800) 853-1964. Videos, photos, and social media links can be emailed to respectwildlife@noaa.gov.
Relocation Pupdate for PO11
July 21, 2026
Hawaiian monk seal pup PO11 is getting acquainted with a new beach!
RH58 (Rocky) weaned the pup on July 20, leaving the pup alone as a now independent seal. Experts with NOAA Fisheries and response partner Hawai’i Marine Animal Response (HMAR) collected and released the pup on a more remote, undisclosed Oʻahu shoreline, today, to give the young female a stronger chance at growing up wild and healthy.
Our experts also gave the pup standard ID tags before release. PO11’s new permanent ID number is now RV58, which is printed on her flipper tags. The "58" mirrors her mother’s tag (RH58), making her lineage instantly recognizable at a glance. HMAR will be working with community youth to gift the pup a name.
What’s Next?
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We will continue to work with HMAR and other partners to monitor the pup’s well-being as she explores the area and interacts with nearby monk seals.
Whether PO11 (now RV58) stays in the area is up to her. Some seals choose to stay in specific areas. Others choose to travel between islands, sometimes as far as Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument!
Help keep an eye on seals like RV58 and contribute to monk seal science. Report sightings to our local NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: 888-256-9840.
If you happen to spot one of these native endangered seals, respect each other’s space and privacy by remaining at least 50 feet away. Refrain from sharing real-time locations to help prevent potential disturbance.
Moving Forward: Planning for Rocky’s Pup, PO11
July 17, 2026
It’s been nearly 5 weeks since famed Hawaiian monk seal RH58 (Rocky) gave birth to her 16th pup on the southwest shore of Oʻahu. Now, the nursing period is winding down, and the two will soon begin separate journeys. Rocky will depart to replenish her reserves, and the pup (PO11) will be an independent seal on its own.
With change on the horizon, our response team and partners are looking ahead to the young female’s future. We hope that PO11 will grow up healthy and wild, contributing to the Hawaiian monk seal population, just like Rocky and other monk seal matriarchs.
Unfortunately, the pup’s birth site poses a number of risks. These include: habituation to human presence, off-leash dogs, and interactions with marine debris and fishing gear.
To give PO11 a stronger chance at growing up wild and healthy, we’re making arrangements to move the pup to a more remote Oʻahu shore, near other wild seals.
What to Expect
The move will happen quietly, shortly after we confirm that Rocky has weaned the pup. We won’t share the exact timing or specific relocation spot to keep the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for all involved.
Once collected, we’ll give PO11 a quick health check and standard identification tags before release. These flipper ID tags will help response networks to monitor the seal's well-being and growth from a distance as it adjusts to its new surroundings.
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Mahalo Nui Loa
Keeping an eye on a nursing pair takes a lot of coordination. We are grateful for the support from Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR), our on-the-ground response partner; the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources; the City and County of Honolulu; and the Honolulu Police Department.
We also appreciate the beachgoers and residents who have respected the fencing, followed the guidance of the monitors, and given Rocky and pup the space they needed during this critical time.
Be a Pup Protector
As Rocky and PO11 finish the nursing period together, you can continue to protect them by following these 4 simple practices:
- Maintain a safe, respectful distance of at least 150 feet from mom and pup pairs
- Keep dogs leashed
- Choose alternate swimming and fishing areas if seals are present
- Mother monk seals can be very protective of their pups and have inflicted serious wounds on nearby swimmers
- Accidental fishing gear interactions can harm seals and may require medical intervention
- Report suspected marine wildlife harassment
Thank you for helping us keep the shorelines safe for the next generation of wild seals!
Toxoplasmosis is Cause of Death for Hawaiian Monk Seal RH32
June 25, 2026
NOAA Fisheries has confirmed that the cause of death for Hawaiian monk seal RH32, known as Ka‘ale, was toxoplasmosis, following recent necropsy (animal autopsy) and histopathology results. RH32’s last reported sighting was on March 10, 2026. At that time, he was hauled out at one of his regular West Oʻahu locations, showing typical behavior with no outward signs of illness.
What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a protozoal parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, that enters the environment through cat feces. Once a monk seal is infected, the parasite can cause severe inflammation and dysfunction in vital organs throughout the body, including the brain, heart, liver, and lungs.
In Hawaiʻi, toxoplasmosis also poses a threat to spinner dolphins and several species of native birds, including the Hawaiian goose (nēnē) and the Hawaiian crow (ʻalalā).
Toxoplasmosis Threatens Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery
Toxoplasmosis remains one of the leading threats to the recovery of endangered Hawaiian monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands. Because the infection is often rapid and hidden, seals rarely show obvious external symptoms until the disease is highly advanced, making intervention and treatment incredibly difficult. Sixteen Hawaiian monk seals, including RH32, are known to have died as a direct result of toxoplasmosis. However, given that more individual seals disappear from the population than are found dead, NOAA Fisheries estimates that the toll of the disease on the monk seal population is even greater.
How NOAA Fisheries monitors endangered Hawaiian monk seals
Help Us Monitor the Population
Your reporting is vital to recovering endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Because toxoplasmosis develops silently, with limited or no early outward systems, regular sightings are our primary tool for monitoring population health. Every report provides critical data that helps us detect potential threats across the islands. Please report all seal sightings—including healthy, injured, or deceased seals—to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.
Hear the story of a seal affected by toxoplasmosis in The Pōhaku Chronicles podcast series
Waikīkī Pup RV96 Safely Relocated to New Home
June 19, 2026
Mission accomplished! We have successfully relocated the famous Hawaiian monk seal pup from busy Kaimana Beach, Waikīkī, to a quieter shoreline on Oʻahu.
On June 16, thanks to our partners at Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response informing us from on the ground, we confirmed that mother seal RK96 (Kaiwi) officially weaned her pup. The young female seal, now identified as RV96, is also known as ‘Ānela ‘Auinalā thanks to HMAR’s community naming effort with Waikīkī Elementary School.
While mom may return to Kaimana Beach in the future, both animals are now independent seals. This quieter new beach will help ‘Ānela ‘Auinalā learn normal, wild behaviors that young seals need for survival—away from large crowds.
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Inside the Operation
With the pup fully weaned and independent, the relocation work began. NOAA Fisheries, alongside our partners at Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, safely collected the pup from Kaimana Beach during a swift and smooth morning operation. We also had on-site support from the Honolulu Police Department.
We transferred ‘Ānela ‘Auinalā to our NOAA facility for a brief health check, a preventative vaccination, and to receive official flipper ID tags. We also attached a temporary satellite tag so we can map her movements and follow her development over the coming months.
Exploring the New Beach
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On Friday, ‘Ānela ‘Auinalā arrived safely at her new, undisclosed beach, where the team gently placed her carrier down on the sand. When the door first opened, she didn’t quite notice right away because she had oriented herself towards the mountains. However, after taking a few moments to listen to the ocean and reorient herself, she turned around and headed straight into the water to explore her new cove.
Keeping Seals Wild
NOAA Fisheries and our partners will continue to monitor ‘Ānela ‘Auinalā via satellite data and shoreline sightings. To minimize stress on the pup and prevent crowding, we do not publicly disclose real-time locations of relocated seals.
Mahalo nui loa to everyone who helped give this pup the best possible start to life in the wild. People can continue to support endangered Hawaiian monk seals by giving them at least 50 feet of space (150 feet for moms and pups), and by reporting all seal sightings to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.
Relocating the Latest Waikīkī Monk Seal Pup to Protect Natural Behaviors
June 11, 2026
Kaimana Beach has been a wonderful nursery for the latest Waikīkī Hawaiian monk seal pup, born on May 3. Despite the busy energy of the surrounding area, the mom and pup pair have enjoyed a peaceful nursing period, thanks to Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Honolulu Ocean Safety—and all of the beachgoers who chose alternative shorelines to give the nursing pair the space they needed.
A big transition is just around the corner. As the pup nears weaning age, we are preparing to relocate this soon-to-be “weaner” (a young seal that has officially stopped nursing) to a more remote O‘ahu shoreline.
Mother seal RK96 (Kaiwi) is expected to wean her pup in the coming days. Once weaning occurs, the mother naturally leaves, and the pup is completely on its own to learn how to swim, hunt, and navigate the ocean.
Why Relocation is Necessary
Kaimana Beach is a beautiful spot, but it’s also one of the busiest beaches on Oʻahu. For a newly weaned pup, regular interaction with large crowds can be incredibly risky—and even life threatening to a young, impressionable seal.
Weaned seals must learn to interact with other seals and marine life, rather than becoming habituated (used to) people. Hawaiian monk seal pups are naturally curious. Relocating the seal to a quieter beach reduces the risk of dangerous human-seal interactions and will help it grow up safe and independent.
What's Next?
Once we confirm that the pup has officially weaned, our joint team will spring into action to safely execute the relocation. For the safety of everyone involved—both the two-legged and flippered—we will not be sharing the specific timing or operational details before the move.
During the transition, the seal will receive a routine health check, a protective vaccination, and official tracking tags so we can monitor the little one’s progress in the new home.
Mahalo to Our Partners and Community
We are incredibly grateful to our partners and the community for actively protecting and monitoring the mother and pup over the last few weeks. Special thanks to Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response, whose dedicated volunteers provided daily monitoring and public outreach; the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, including Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) conservation officers, who conducted essential safety patrols; and Honolulu Ocean Safety, whose lifeguards and park personnel shared critical safety messages with beachgoers.
Finally, mahalo (thank you) to the community—both in person and online—for watching out for the pup, respecting the “nursery bubble”, and helping educate others during this critical time.
How You Can Help
While the pup finishes nursing at Kaimana Beach, please continue to show your kōkua (support). Give the mother and pup plenty of space—at least 150 feet—to ensure they remain undisturbed as the nursing period comes to a close.
Stay tuned for updates as we help this pup embark on the next chapter of a successful, independent life!
Summary Findings: Deceased Hawaiian Monk Seal RL80
June 1, 2026
In January 2026, NOAA Fisheries and our partners launched a mission on Moloka‘i to rescue RL80, an underweight 7-year-old male Hawaiian monk seal that appeared in poor health.
A joint team involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response, Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and NOAA Fisheries worked to transport the seal from Moloka‘i to The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian monk seal hospital and conservation program, Ke Kai Ola, on Hawai‘i Island for evaluation and care.
Sadly, RL80 succumbed to his condition after 18 days of comprehensive veterinary care at Ke Kai Ola. Veterinary staff with the Marine Mammal Center attributed RL80’s cause of death to severe malnutrition and an infection deep in the tissues around his left front flipper. The seal was also suffering from a fractured jaw that was not healing, and was likely the result of a previous hooking injury. This left RL80 chronically debilitated and unable to forage properly, ultimately precipitating his rapid decline.
Routine X-rays also detected a bullet and unidentified fragments near the seal’s ribs from a past injury. While this prior wound likely did not contribute to the seal’s death, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement opened an investigation based on the X-ray findings.
How to Report Information
Anyone with information is urged to call the NOAA OLE Hotline at (800) 853-1964 to report what they know.
Common Resource Links and Ways to Help Hawaiian Monk Seals
You can help protect Hawaiian monk seals by:
- Reporting all seal sightings, or injured or dead seals, to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840
- Following marine wildlife viewing guidelines
- Fishing responsibly around monk seals
- Reporting marine wildlife harassment
Response to Deceased Hawaiian Monk Seal RH32 on O‘ahu
On May 6, our team responded to a report of a deceased Hawaiian monk seal off the coast of Nānākuli, O‘ahu. Thanks to a quick alert through the hotline, we were able to coordinate a timely recovery with the support of our partners.
Our stranding partners with Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response managed the recovery on scene, coordinating with Honolulu Ocean Safety (who brought the animal to shore), Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.
Remembering RH32 (Ka‘ale)
Our scientists have since identified the seal as RH32, a 10-year-old male known as Ka‘ale. A regular of the Wai‘anae coast, Ka‘ale was frequently sighted by residents and had received several interventions over the years to help him survive accidental hookings and entanglements. At this time, his cause of death is unknown.
Our team is now performing a post-mortem examination to evaluate any factors that could help clarify what happened to this seal, who was well-loved by the local community. A thorough examination with diagnostic assessments can take several weeks to complete.
We are grateful to our partners at Honolulu Ocean Safety, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response, and the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement for their swift coordination in the response. We also thank beachgoers and the larger community for your vigilance and swift reporting of incidents involving protected marine life.
Report Wildlife Emergencies, All Monk Seal Sightings
If you see an injured or dead marine animal, including whales, dolphins, seals, or sea turtles, please contact the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840. Please also report all monk seal sightings, which supports NOAA Fisheries’ long-term monitoring and recovery efforts for the species.
Update on the cause of death for Hawaiian monk seal RH32 (Ka'ale)
R2XU is Hook-Free and Back in Action
September 29, 2025
September was a good month for R2XU, as the juvenile male seal was released back to the wild after a life-saving procedure.
In late August, we received multiple calls from community members who reported fishing line trailing from the seal’s mouth. We quickly assembled a rescue team with partners from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, The Marine Mammal Center, and community volunteers. On site, we confirmed the seal had likely swallowed a fishing hook and needed medical intervention. The Center coordinated emergency transport via Mauna Loa Helicopters to Ke Kai Ola, the Center’s Hawaiian monk seal hospital in Kona, Hawaiʻi Island.
Thankfully the hook removal procedure went well, and R2XU was released back on Kauaʻi in early September!
Incidents like R2XU’s, as well as the untimely recent death of 2-year-old female RS34, show the importance of reporting hooked seals as soon as possible.
Hawaiian monk seals are naturally curious and opportunistic feeders. Unfortunately, sometimes easy-looking meals come with strings attached—like a fishing line and hook. These unintentional hookings are a risk that comes with shared ocean spaces—and one we can reduce together with awareness and quick action.
Early intervention gives us the best chance to help, and knowing what to do can save a seal’s life. Follow these tips for fishing around seals and join the ranks of responsible fishermen in the islands.
And remember, call our statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline, (888) 256-9840, any time you spot a monk seal. Together we can help recover this endangered population.
Two Monk Seal Pups Under Care at The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital
August 28, 2025
This has been another banner year for monk seal pupping in the main Hawaiian Islands, with 35 new pups so far. As the peak pupping season winds down, most of these new pups are thriving and exploring the reefs on their own. Two small pups, though, needed extra help. Due to quick action by our team and partners, both are now receiving life-saving care at The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian monk seal hospital, Ke Kai Ola, in Kona, Hawaiʻi.
RU28
This summer, well-known survivor RH38 gave birth to her first pup, RU28, on Kauaʻi. Watching RH38 join the ranks of motherhood was a special experience for everyone involved in the mother seal’s historical care at The Center. The pair spent nearly 5 weeks together during the 5–7 week nursing period.
After weaning, we assessed RU28 and determined the pup was underweight and unlikely to survive without intervention. Weight is important because pups rely on their reserves as they learn to feed themselves. We worked with partners to transport RU28 to Ke Kai Ola. The young male is doing great—gaining weight and strength.
RU99
Pup RU99’s parentage is less known. The young pup was first reported alone, with no mother in sight, on the eastern shoreline of Molokaʻi. Based on size, we estimated the male pup was almost 2 weeks old. The absence of a mother was a very serious concern. It’s crucial that Hawaiian monk seal mothers stay with their pups the entire 5–7 week nursing period. Our partners monitored RU99 to see if the mother seal would return. When she did not, we determined a rescue was the pup's best chance at survival.
We coordinated with partners on the ground to collect RU99 for transport to Ke Kai Ola. The pup is responding positively to care and continuing to grow and develop. We may never know who RU99’s mother is, or why the two separated, but thankfully due to quick reporting and response, the pup has a new outlook on life!
Why It Matters
These pups’ stories are powerful reminders of how challenging early life can be for monk seals—and for those working to recover them. We’re hopeful that RU28 and RU99 will continue responding well to treatment so they can be released back into the wild once healthy and ready. We’re also thankful to the partners we rely on who helped rescue them: The Center, Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response, the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and community volunteers.
How You Can Help
Giving seal mothers and pups space during their nursing period is essential—along with reporting seal sightings. Here are three ways you can help these protected seals:
- Give Hawaiian monk seals space—stay at least 150 feet away from mothers with pups
- Report sightings to the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840
- Spread awareness about respectful seal viewing
Back to the Beach in 2025: Four Successful Seal Rehabilitations
May 12, 2025
Monk seals in need of the “3 Rs”—rescue, rehab, and release—have kept us and our partners busy this year! We’re happy to share that four endangered Hawaiian monk seals are back in the wild after receiving expert, life-saving care at The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian monk seal hospital, Ke Kai Ola.
The seals suffered varying medical issues, ranging from malnourishment to physical injuries. Their chances of survival were grim without medical intervention. But thanks to collaborative response efforts and The Center’s medical resources and specialized care, the seals are healthy again and home in their native habitat.
With only about 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals left in the world, we take our responsibility to recover the population very seriously. Rehabilitations like these move us one step closer to our goal of removing Hawaiian monk seals from the endangered species list.
Learn more about these four seals with a new outlook on life!
DT46 and DT48
Our seasonal field camp staff rescued monk seal pups DT46 (male) and DT48 (female) while conducting monk seal research in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The pups were underweight, and their chance of survival through the winter was less than 1 percent. The Center treated them for malnutrition and gastrointestinal parasites. Our field camp staff released them this month on Tern Island in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The pair spent a short time exploring their surroundings before going for the water. Maybe one day they'll run into their recovery companion DT12. Also an underweight pup, she was rescued with the pair and released back to Papahānaumokuākea in 2024. Based on signals from her temporary satellite tag, DT12 has been broadly exploring her surroundings.
Learn more about DT12’s journey
R419
R419 is one of the more severe monk seal medical cases we’ve seen recently. An O‘ahu community member reported the ailing seal, expressing concern about his appearance. When we collected him from the beach, he was severely underweight. The Center treated the male for multiple, infected injuries, some caused by another male seal. R419 had several large abscesses on his back and many smaller ones. He also had traumatic injuries to his right front flipper, causing the loss of a partial middle digit and fractures of 4 of 5 of his digits. The Center treated R419 with antibiotics, deworming and pain medications, and dietary supplements. We and partners released R419 in April. R419 made a remarkable recovery—gaining approximately 100 healthy pounds during treatment!
RS52
Last but not least is the juvenile male monk seal RS52. We and partners rescued RS52 on Maui after observing that he was losing weight at an alarming rate. The Center staff treated RS52 for malnutrition and gastrointestinal parasites. We jointly released him back on Maui in January after he received a clean bill of health. Since his release, RS52 has been sighted along the south shores of Maui. In April, he was also spotted on the island of Lāna‘i, which is where he was born in 2023.
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