Two New Patients Arrive at Ke Kai Ola

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/about-us/News-Room/2014-news-archives/hawaiian-monk-seal-population.html

Hawaiian monk seal births are on the rise, and our newly opened hospital, Ke Kai Ola, will help ensure that trend continues.

October 2, 2014




Meleana “continuous song” is a female Hawaiian monk seal weaner found at Kure Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands suffering from emaciation.
© The Marine Mammal Center, NMFS Permit 16632-00 and 932-1905-01MA-009526-1



When the NOAA research vessel Oscar Elton Sette left the Big Island of Hawaii at the end of August, it was carrying four “fat and feisty” Hawaiian monk seals, Ke Kai Ola’s inaugural patients that were ready to be released back to their home in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

When that same ship returned to shore after a 21-day research mission, it was carrying two new monk seal patients in need of help—as well as some good news: an increase in the number of monk seal pups born this season.

Scientists from NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program counted 121 monk seal pups born this year, an increase compared to 103 pups last year and 111 pups in 2012. Preliminary numbers indicate that survival of young seals may be improving overall as well.

Many of the researchers who returned last week had been in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands since June monitoring the monk seal population and helping improve survival when possible.

FULL story and more photos at link.