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Reward offered for info on slaying of monk seal

Press Watch, Honolulu Star Bulletin, December 9, 2009
A sleeping RK19
A sleeping RK19

Federal officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on Kauai in April.

The 5-year-old male seal [RK19] was found dead from foul play on a remote beach near Kaumakani, on the west side of the island, on April 19, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement.

“The killing of this endangered Hawaiian monk seal is not only a violation of federal law, but a crime against all the people who call Hawaii their home,” said Special Agent in Charge William Pickering, of NOAA OLE’s Pacific Islands Division. “It is our hope that this reward will bring someone forward that can supply us with the information needed to arrest and convict those who would commit such a heinous act.” […]

It is illegal to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect any endangered species, according to NOAA. Violations can result in criminal and civil penalties of not more than $50,000, a term of imprisonment of one year or both.

Anyone with information about the case can contact the NOAA enforcement hot line at (800) 853-1964.

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Monachus Guardian published

Just published: the November 2009 issue of The Monachus Guardian, the biannual electronic journal focusing on the Mediterranean, Hawaiian and Caribbean monk seals. The site can be accessed at http://www.monachus-guardian.org.

This issue features news and articles by some 30 authors from 13 countries from across the range of the genus, from Hawaii to Mauritania, Turkey to Spain, Madeira to Greece.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CURRENT ISSUE:

Guest Editorial: Monk seals and fisheries need attention, education and cooperation, by Trisha Kehaulani Watson.
International News: Quebec workshop builds Med-Pacific links, but will action ever follow?…

Hawaiian News: Short-lived freedom for KP2…

Mediterranean News: Greece: Orphaned, newborn monk seal rescued at Kefalonia… Madeira: Young seal chooses busy Funchal as home… Mauritania: Reaching the 50-pup mark at Cabo Blanco… Turkey: Monk seals monitored at Karaburun Peninsula…

Cover Story: Tracking Artemis: Making sense out of a young seal’s death, by Panagiotis Dendrinos & Emily Joseph.

In Focus I: Progressive re-colonization of monk seal resting and reproduction habitats as the result of strict protection, by Pablo Fernández de Larrinoa, Hamdi M’Barek, Moulaye Haye, Miguel Ángel Cedenilla, Mercedes Muñoz, Ana Maroto & Luis Mariano González.

In Focus II: Monk seal sightings in Italy move to the central Tyrrhenian sea, by Giulia Mo.

Perspectives I: Tackling the conflict between seals and fisheries in Greece: an end or a beginning? by Stella Adamantopoulou and Vangelis Paravas.

Perspectives II: Mallorca’s lone seal: the 2009 follow-up, by Antoni Font and Joan Mayol.

Letters to the Editor: Seals of Coincidence, by Professor Keith Ronald… and Mediterranean monk seal encounters – Dos and Don’ts, by Marianna Psaradellis…

Recent Publications.

The current and back issues of The Monachus Guardian are also available from the Monk Seal Library http://www.monachus-guardian.org/library.htm.

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Hawaii’s famous white sandy beaches ‘are shrinking’

Press Watch, Telegraph.co.uk, November 16, 2009

Hawaii’s famous white sandy beaches are shrinking, geologists have warned.

They said that more than 70 per cent of beaches on the island of Kauai are eroding while Oahu has already lost a quarter of its sandy shoreline.

The islands have been experiencing a steady historical climb in sea levels dating back to the 19th century but the problem is likely to get significantly worse in coming decades as global warming causes sea levels to rise more rapidly. […]

The vanishing sands could ultimately decimate Hawaii’s economy. Tourism is the largest employer, with visitors spending more than $11 billion (£6.6 billion) a year.

It will also mean many animals and plans losing important habitats, including the Hawaiian monk seal and green sea turtles. […]

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Molokai: Farewell to ‘unifying spirit’

Press Watch, The Maui News, November 19, 2009

Eight Molokai residents, federal marine fisheries officials and scientists said aloha to the beloved Molokai Hawaiian monk seal “KP2” at a blessing at the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu on Wednesday afternoon.

KP2, who captured the hearts of many on the Friendly Isle while he frolicked at Kaunakakai Wharf, will be soon heading to California to receive surgery for his cataracts. […]

Moving the nearly 2-year-old seal to Oahu angered some Molokai residents. They named him Hoailona, which means a special seal with a special purpose, said Molokai resident Walter Ritte. They wanted the seal that educated the people and played with their children to stay on Molokai.

Some residents complained that NOAA did not give them notice about moving KP2. But Schofield said there might have been a misunderstanding because NOAA officials notified the public about the move in July.

But on Wednesday, Schofield said scientists and residents came together and brought closure to the issue.

“They are in such trouble,” Schofield said of the Hawaiian monk seal. “We don’t have time to bicker.” […]

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Hawaiian seal to be healed by local woman

Press Watch, WPTV, November 13, 2009

JUPITER, FL — A young monk seal off the coast of Hawaii is gaining a lot of attention. The seal named KP2 has been featured in the Wall Street Journal  and is the talk of the town from Hawaii to Jupiter. […]

Carmen Colitz of Jupiter will be conducting the surgery to remove its cataracts which has left the 18th month old seal 80% blind. […]

Colitz, a veterinarian specializing in seal and sea lion eye surgery around the world, will head to California to perform the surgery in early Spring. KP2 is in captivity at Waikiki’s aquarium right now. After its surgery in California it will have a permanent home at Sea Life Park in Oahu.

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Tests run on ailing Hawaiian monk seal

Press Watch, Honolulu Advertiser, October 28, 2009
A Waikíkí Aquarium staff member offers a fish to Nukaau, a 29-year-old monk seal that hasn't been feeling well lately. Waikíkí Aquarium photo

A Waikíkí Aquarium Hawaiian monk seal has undergone a thorough physical checkup after falling ill over the weekend.

Nukaau, 29, became lethargic and lost his appetite, said Andrew Rossiter, aquarium director.

“He just doesn’t seem interested in anything,” Rossiter said yesterday. “But when you consider his equivalent to 90-95 years old (in human years), that’s perhaps an off day.” […]

Nuka is one of three monk seals at the aquarium. Another elderly male is on display and a young wild seal, KP2, was recently placed there because of cataracts.

KP2 was raised in captivity. He had been released but recaptured with the goal to relocate him this month because he was interacting with humans and had become too rough.

Continue reading “Tests run on ailing Hawaiian monk seal”