Where can I see monk seals?
Although the monk seals' main habitat is in the North West Hawaiian Islands, they are now found on every Main Hawaiian Island. A good place to get up close and personal with monk seals is the Waikiki Aquarium, where two seals have been living for the past 20 years.
What are the main threats to monk seals?
The main threats to the Hawaiian monk seal include low survival of juveniles due to starvation, entanglements in marine debris, predation of juveniles by sharks, disease outbreaks, and human interactions in the Main Hawaiian Islands. "Human disturbance" is defined in the recovery plan as recreational fishing gear entanglements and mother-pup disturbance.
What can I do?
- Report all strandings and entanglements to the monk seal hotline: (888)256-9840
- Report seal sightings: (808)220-7802
- Share what you learn about these animals and how to protect them. A good starting place is NOAA's Pacific
Islands Regional Office website.
- Volunteer with NOAA's Monk Seal Response Team. Learn more and sign-up at www.monkseal.org.
