Even Hawaiian Monk Seals Need a Nap!
Hawaiian monk seal B18/B19 (he has two tags) takes a nap in the canoe house at Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park this week (Photo Courtesy Sophie Greeno, volunteer with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary).
Visitors to Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park were surprised to find a rare endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal taking a nap inside the park’s traditional canoe house. Apparently not a shy guy, B18/B19 (he has two tags) hauled himself up from the Royal Canoe Landing into the traditional structure that houses several outrigger canoes.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal is one of only a handful of seals living around Hawaii Island. With only around 1,000 left in the wild, the Hawaiian Monk Seal is considered the most endangered seal in the world. Unfortunately, recent reports have come out showing that the population is declining at a rate of 4% per year, meaning that extinction is a very real threat to this once numerous creature.
Photo Courtesy Sophie Greeno, volunteer with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
