U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
The October-November 2010 monthly update from the FWS Papahānaumokuākea team provides the following information on Hawaiian monk seals at French Frigate Shoals and Laysan Island:
“[…] And here’s an update on the monk seals at French Frigate Shoals: 36 monk seal pups have been born; 5 are still nursing; 21 have weaned (3 of those weaned pups were taken by sharks); 1 pup died before it was weaned; 6 pups have disappeared; and finally, 2 weaned pups on East Island suffered nonfatal shark bites. […]
Monk seal deworming efforts on Laysan Island have been cancelled. Results from fecal sampling did not show enough of an improvement to justify the disturbance of the animals. […]”
Wonderful photographs of the most endangered seal on the planet The Mediterranean Monk Seal by Nuno Sá off The Desertas Islands archipelago part of the Portuguese region of Madeira where there is a small but growing colony of the seals.
This announces the availability of a toll-free phone number where you can leave your scoping comments regarding the PEIS for monk seal recovery actions for the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) consideration.
With a dwindling Hawaiian monk seal population, federal officials are proposing a new plan to improve the survival of the endangered species. However, some Molokai fishermen say they are worried the plan could come at their expense.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) is proposing to implement specific management actions and administer the associated research and enhancement program for Hawaiian monk seals in the Hawaiian Islands. Public comments were due by November 15, 2010. NMFS has decided to allow additional time for submission of public comments on this action (75 FR 69398-69399). The scoping period for the PEIS is extended to November 30, 2010. Written comments must be received or postmarked by November 30, 2010.
Question: Whatever happened to KP2, the nearly blind Hawaiian monk seal that was moved from Molokai by federal marine officials after becoming too familiar with humans?