05/15/2026
Today is Endangered Species Day.
You may have heard about the Hawaiian Monk Seal in Lahaina and that a visitor was throwing large rocks at it. This violates both the Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The seal shown here is not the Lahaina seal, this is Hoa, who is another Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi), located on the island of Oahu at the Waikiki Aquarium.
Hawaiian Monk Seals are not just endangered, but Critically Endangered, and are one of the most endangered types of seals in the world. There are only an estimated 1,600 seals left in it's entire range. While efforts to help these beautiful seals have been positive, there are still many reasons why their populations are not increasing very quickly. One reason is human interaction. It is very important that if you see a seal trying to come out on the beach, they need to be left alone to haul out, rest, molt or perhaps it is time for them to give birth. Please keep your self and your pets away from them at least 50 feet, and if they have a pup...150 feet.
