Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus Schauinslandi
The Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus schauinslandi, is one of the rarest of the seal mammals. It is estimated that there are less than 1400 individuals surviving. It is, however, faring a bit better than it’s other warm water cousins, the Caribbean monk seal, which is extinct, and the Mediterranean monk seal which is reduced to less than 600.
It is normally found in the uninhabited northern islands of the Hawaiian Island chain, so it was a bit of a shock to see this one on Maui early one morning in what would soon be a busy and popular spot. I went by a few hours later, and luckily, it had gone.
From these images, its not easy to realize how large it is, which I estimate at about 350kg (800 lbs) and perhaps 2.25 meters ( 8 feet) in length.
Hawaiian Monk Seal, Monachus Schauinslandi
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Thank You for giving me this opportunity to witness this beautiful rare species!
Comment by naturegirl — March 26, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
Marvelous and perhaps archival photograph of what might soon be a memory.
Thank you for bringing this to us.
J.
Comment by J. Young — March 26, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
Gorgeous animal. It looks so right where it is and it makes me sad, and angry, to think that soon there will no longer be a place for it.
Comment by Hilke Breder — March 27, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
Amazing animal, so beautiful ( and fat
). I hope the species will survive and it will continue to exist in the future!
Comment by Brian Carrey — March 28, 2010 @ 10:34 am
Thanks, Brian:
It may have been a pregnant female, it apparently is about that time of year.
Hopefully she successfully adds one more to the species.
Thanks, Harold
Comment by Harold — March 28, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for writing, Harold
Comment by Harold — March 28, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Thanks J,
It seems to be holding its own for the moment. It is strongly protected by the state and breeds on barren islands in the chain which are clear of introduced predators such as rats.
Thanks, Harold
Comment by Harold — March 28, 2010 @ 9:44 pm
Thanks Hilke
We can hope it hangs on and perhaps recovers in numbers. There is good protection but, of course, the low numbers makes it very vulnerable to natural disasters.
Thanks, Harold
Comment by Harold — March 28, 2010 @ 9:47 pm