Facts about Hawaiian Monk Seal

1. 06

   Between 1989 and 1991, Hawaiian monk seals were translocated from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to Kauai in an effort to establish a second breeding population away from sharks and disease.

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2. 05

   Approximately 50 percent of Hawaiian monk seal pups born in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands do not survive their first year due to shark predation and starvation.

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3. 04

   Adult Hawaiian monk seals typically weigh between 375 and 450 pounds, with males averaging larger than females of the same species.

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4. 03

   Monk seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands fast for up to six months annually during breeding season, sustaining themselves entirely on stored blubber reserves.

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5. 02

   Lacking external ear flaps, Hawaiian monk seals rely on ear holes positioned behind their eyes to detect underwater sounds with exceptional sensitivity.

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6. 01

   The Hawaiian monk seal population numbered approximately 1,400 individuals in 2023, making it one of the most endangered marine mammals in the United States.

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