Officials investigate seal death
Media Watch, Officials probe fourth Hawaiian monk seal death, Hawaii News Now
HONOLULU (AP) – Federal and state officials are investigating the fourth suspicious death of a Hawaiian monk seal in six months after a male seal was found dead in northeastern Kauai. […]
Source: Officials probe fourth Hawaiian monk seal death, Hawaii News Now, 25 April 2012.
New monk seal killing alarms Hawaii
Media Watch, Reward offered in death of Monk Seal, KITV
KAUAI – The Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating the death of a 3-year-old male monk seal, who was found dead on Sunday.
DLNR chair William Aila said the seal was found on a Northeast Kaua’i beach in an area were seals have been harmed before. […]
DLNR officials say this is the fifth monk seal death under investigation.
Since November, three seals were found dead on Molokai and two have been found dead on Kaua’i.
The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the monk seal deaths is now up to $40,000.
The anonymous and reward tip line is 1-855-DLNR-TIP.
Source: Reward offered in death of Monk Seal, KITV, 25 April 2012
Mother defends pup against shark attack
An adult female Hawaiian monk seal protects her pup from two Galapagos sharks at Trig Island, French Frigate Shoals.
NOAA removes “aggressive” monk seal from NWHI
Statement, NOAA Fisheries, 10 February 2012
In 2010 and 2011 NOAA Fisheries staff began to observe a nine-year old monk seal, KE18, attacking newly weaned and juvenile seals at Kure Atoll in the NWHI; causing injuries including lacerations, scratches and puncture wounds on this critical component of the monk seal population. KE18 seriously injured 10 of the 13 pups and an additional three juveniles during the 2010 and 2011 field camps on Kure Atoll. When KE18 transited to Midway Atoll there were two unexplained deaths during his time there.
Continue reading “NOAA removes “aggressive” monk seal from NWHI”
Research and showbiz planned for aggressive monk seal
Media Watch, Hawaii News Now, 4 February 2012
Marine mammal experts once considered KE-18 to be such a dangerous Hawaiian monk seal it appeared they had no choice but to euthanize him. Six months later KE-18 has been captured and is headed for life as a research subject and aquarium attraction.
KE-18 is known to have attacked at least 13 pups and juvenile seals at Kure and Midway Atolls. […]
The plan is to move KE-18 to U.C. Santa Cruz in late February. It is the same facility where another Hawaiian monk seal, KP2, lived for two years before being brought back to Hawaii and a permanent home at the Waikiki Aquarium.
While in Santa Cruz, KE-18 will serve as a research subject. [More]
Source: Research & showbiz planned for aggressive monk seal, Hawaii News Now, 4 February 2012.