Rising Tide Images
Relaxation
A three-week-old Hawaiian monk seal pup and its mother bask in the morning sun after a swimming lesson and feeding. Still resplendent in its beautiful black coat, this was the sixth pup born on Oahu during the 2023 season (PO6) named Lahina. Its mother, tagged RL42, is known as Leia and I observed her previously raise a pup on this beach in 2021.
The Hawaiian name for monk seals was "ilio holo i ka uaua" meaning "dog that runs in rough water." Endemic to Hawaii, this species of monk seal was established in the archipelago millions of years before the human populated main volcanic islands emerged above sea level. The original seal-occupied islands have since receded to coral atolls and are now part of Papahānaumokuākea. A recently updated survey estimate by NOAA indicates a small, but encouraging, population increase to 1,570 individuals throughout the Hawaiian archipelago. However, Hawaiian monk seals remain endangered and among the rarest of marine mammals.
Relaxation
A three-week-old Hawaiian monk seal pup and its mother bask in the morning sun after a swimming lesson and feeding. Still resplendent in its beautiful black coat, this was the sixth pup born on Oahu during the 2023 season (PO6) named Lahina. Its mother, tagged RL42, is known as Leia and I observed her previously raise a pup on this beach in 2021.
The Hawaiian name for monk seals was "ilio holo i ka uaua" meaning "dog that runs in rough water." Endemic to Hawaii, this species of monk seal was established in the archipelago millions of years before the human populated main volcanic islands emerged above sea level. The original seal-occupied islands have since receded to coral atolls and are now part of Papahānaumokuākea. A recently updated survey estimate by NOAA indicates a small, but encouraging, population increase to 1,570 individuals throughout the Hawaiian archipelago. However, Hawaiian monk seals remain endangered and among the rarest of marine mammals.