Tag: Hawaiian monk seal

Watch: Surfing seal takes out boy who never saw it coming

A monk seal possibly being chased by a shark has an unexpected collision on a Hawaiian shoreline with a kid who was considered “lucky.”

A Hawaiian monk seal surfing a wave into shore, possibly being chased by a shark, crashed into a little boy who didn’t see the seal coming.

Both mammal and boy appeared stunned by the collision in the Hawaiian surf in a video captured by Daniel Casler.

 

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A post shared by Daniel Casler (@mykailua)

“Always be aware of your surroundings,” Casler wrote on his Instagram post. “Kid wasn’t paying attention and a monk seal beached, and they both got to know each other really fast. Kid is lucky. If you see monk seals, get out of the water and give them space.”

Photo courtesy of NOAA.

Can you spot ‘the dog that runs in rough waters’?

Haleakalā National Park on Maui announced a “special appearance” on the shores of ‘Ohe’o Gulch that occurred last month.

Haleakalā National Park on Maui announced a “special appearance” on the shores of ‘Ohe’o Gulch that occurred last month. It’s an Ilioholoikauaua, one of two native mammals in Hawaii, and it’s napping. Can you spot it?

Ilioholoikauaua translates to “the dog that runs in rough waters,” and is better known as an Hawaiian monk seal.

The park on Tuesday posted the image of the sleepy visitor on its Facebook page.

“According to NOAA, Hawaiian monk seals are one of the world’s most endangered species with just around 1,400 left in the wild,” the post states. “They are solitary animals that spend most of their time at sea. You may find them catching some much-needed rest along the shoreline. It is important to allow them a significant amount of space to molt, rest, give birth, and care for their pups.”

This one had no worries about being bothered, as no humans were in sight.

“Hawaiian monk seals are often seen sleeping on the beach, digesting their food and resting from long hunts,” the Hanalei River Heritage Foundation writes.

But, as stated, they spend most of their time out at sea where they feed at depths up to 1,000 feet. They can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes.

A closer look at the sleeping Hawaiian monk seal:

Watch: Unleashed dog harasses endangered Hawaiian monk seal

A 52-year-old man was cited Tuesday by state and federal authorities in after his dog was caught on video harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

A 52-year-old man was cited Tuesday in Hawaii by state and federal authorities after his dog was caught on video harassing an endangered monk seal.

The incident occurred Oct. 10 at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park on the island of Hawaii.

The accompanying footage, released this week by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, shows the dog menacing the seal, and the seal’s frightened reaction.

The footage also shows the dog’s owner approaching the seal while trying to catch and leash his dog.

The man’s identity was not disclosed out of concern that he’ll become the target of threats and harassment – as has occurred after past incidents involving the culturally revered seals.

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The Hawaiian monk seal, endemic to the northwest Hawaiian islands, is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. Only about 1,400 remain and people are required to give them space when they haul ashore to rest.

The Hawaii DNLR stated in a news release that it took weeks to track down the man, a recent transplant from the mainland, after receiving video footage captured by a witness.

State citations include harassment of an endangered or threatened species and permitting a dog to stray in violation of the Hawaii County Code. Federal citations include violation of the Endangered Species Act and failure to restrain a pet, disturbing wildlife activities.

The man is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 26, 2023.

Newlyweds ‘deeply sorry’ for viral Hawaiian monk seal incident

A Louisiana couple has apologized after video footage showing the woman touching an endangered Hawaiian monk seal went viral, inspiring harsh criticism and death threats.

A Louisiana couple has apologized after video footage showing the woman touching an endangered monk seal in Hawaii went viral, inspiring harsh criticism and death threats.

In the footage, the woman, identified as Lakyn, is shown touching the monk seal on a remote Kauai beach. The seal snaps, causing Lakyn to run to safety. (She has since made her TikTok account private, but the video is featured on the Hawaii Viral Content Instagram page.)

Hawaiian monk seals are endangered and the mammals, revered in Hawaiian culture, respond poorly to stress. Tourists and residents are supposed to stay at least 150 feet from monk seals at all times. Harassing them can result in felony charges.

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According to the Star-Advertiser, the couple was honeymooning after being married in June and not aware of rules pertaining to marine mammals. The husband, named Stephen, asked that Lakyn’s last name be withheld because of the threats she received after posting her video.

“We’re deeply sorry,” Stephen said. “We love Hawaii and the culture. We didn’t mean to offend anyone. We respect the ­culture.”

Stephen added: “We didn’t didn’t know anything but I know that’s no excuse. We’re animal lovers. We weren’t trying to cause any harm or threaten or scare any animals. We’re deeply sorry. We’ll learn from this mistake.”

The incident remains under investigation by NOAA Fisheries, but the couple apparently has agreed to pay a substantial fine.

According to NOAA, the Hawaiian monk seal population numbers about 1,400 animals, with 1,100 spread throughout the sparsely populated Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and 300 around the main islands.

The species experienced a sharp decline after the 1950s and, despite some recent encouraging signs, a full recovery “is a long way off.”

–Monk seal image is generic