Hawaiian Monk Seal

Hawaiian Monk Seal resting. Hawaiian monk seals were first recorded in 1825 at the Hawaiian archipelago's northernmost island, Kure Atoll. Scientist estimate about 1,100 to 1,200 monk seals live in the Hawaiian islands chain today. The abundance of Hawaiian monk seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) is declining about 4% per year. Analyses indicate that juveniles are failing to thrive, and only about one of every five juvenile monk seals live to reach maturity. The population decline will continue indefinitely unless survival of juvenile monk seals improves.