The 100-pound orphaned Hawaiian monk seal pup was likely just trying to play, according to The Marine Mammal Center, as he nipped two swimmers training for the Ironman triathlon in Kamakahonu Bay early last month.
A veterinarian and two marine biologists plucked Kamilo (also identified as H05) out of the bay and relocated him to Niihau. Volunteers report that Kamilo seems to be doing well there.
With a population of about 1,100 declining at about 4 percent per year, Hawaiian monk seals are teetering on the brink of extinction.
In the remote Northwestern Hawaii Islands, they are prone to starvation, entanglement in marine debris and shark predators. On the populated islands, where sightings are more frequent, they are injured by fishhooks, nets and motorboats.
But there is hope for Hawaiian monk seals.
The Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito, Calif., is on track to open the first phase of its $3.2 million hospital for monk seals in Kona by the end of the year.
"We believe it’s the right thing to do to help animals in need," said Jeff Boehm, the center’s executive director, explaining the group’s mission.
Boehm said he hopes the robust scientific program at the center can help mitigate the threats that the animals face, including water pollution, infection and cancer.
The Marine Mammal Center, established in 1975, has treated more than 18,000 mammals in California waters, primarily harbor seals, elephant seals and sea lions.
Now it is setting its sights on rescuing endangered Hawaiian monk seals across the Pacific.
"Each animal has given us experience, sharpened our skills and taught us what to do to step in and do the right thing by them," Boehm said. "We saw a timely need and that got us engaged."
The facility in Kona will have four pools to care for monk seal patients.
The center, which recently received a $25,000 grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to run operations, seeks another $700,000 to complete the second phase, which would allow it to build lab space and an open-air visitor and education center.
On another front the Monk Seal Foundation, a nonprofit based in Lahaina, has joined forces with the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team Oahu.
Patrick Wardell, president of the foundation, said the rehabilitation facility for monk seals represents an important step forward.
"There’s been a huge need to have a dedicated facility for sick and injured seals," said Wardell.
The foundation, with about 200 volunteers statewide, has another mission. Its Pu‘uhonua Initiative aims to create a dedicated Hawaiian monk seal facility and education program at Sea Life Park.
Oftentimes, injured monk seals have no place to go and are shuffled between islands, Wardell said. While the new hospital in Kona would provide a place for sick and injured seals to get better, the Pu‘uhonua Initiative would provide a place of refuge for nonreleasable seals on Oahu.
That was the case with KP2, now known as Ho‘ailona. Like Kamilo, KP2 interacted with humans on Molokai and became too friendly but was unable to return to the wild due to poor eyesight. He ended up at a Santa Cruz lab for two years before becoming a resident of the Waikiki Aquarium.
Kaimalino, another monk seal taken from Kure and Midway atolls due to his aggression toward females and their young, is now in California.
To raise awareness, the foundation recently started a docent program teaching the public about the plight of Hawaiian monk seals at Sea Life Park.
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On the Net:
» www.marinemammalcenter.org
» www.monksealfoundation.org
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Nina Wu writes about environmental issues. Reach her at 529-4892 or nwu@staradvertiser.com.
