A slew of monk seal births within the Hawaiian Islands is thrilling for the conservation neighborhood, however this additionally creates challenges for managing areas the place people and wildlife overlap. Yesterday, the Division of Land and Pure Sources (DLNR) confirmed a brand new milestone, a Hawaiian monk seal pup born on Mokulua Nui to a monk seal that was additionally born on Mokulua Nui.
Hawaiian monk seals are an endangered species, with solely round 1,600 people presently dwelling within the wild. Having a second-generation monk seal pup born on Mokulua Nui, an offshore islet and a state wildlife sanctuary, is a superb signal for the inhabitants. Nonetheless, the islet can also be a well-liked spot for kayakers, creating some friction for wildlife managers.
“The births of 11 monks seals on Oʻahu this yr have created some distinctive challenges in defending each seals and folks,” says the DLNR. “With births in excessive visibility areas like Kaimana Seaside in Waikīkī on Might 1 and simply final week on a seashore at Sand Island State Recreation Space, DLNR, NOAA, and Hawai‘i Marine Animal Rescue (HMAR) initiated collaborative plans to maintain mothers, pups, and curious folks separated and secure.”
DLNR additional says Mokulua Nui is “significantly difficult.” On Friday, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) suspended all Mokulua Islet Business Touchdown Permits in an effort to maintain folks away from the endangered monk seal pups.
Defending Wildlife vs. Defending Tourism
For corporations coming into their busy season that depend on vacationer {dollars} and kayaking journeys to those islands, this isn’t nice information.
DOFAW Administrator David Smith mentioned: “We’re conscious and empathetic to the influence this has on kayak corporations and recreators firstly of the busy summer time vacationer season. Nonetheless, having seals in very shut proximity to folks can create issues of safety for each folks and animals. We recognize everybody’s endurance, whereas this mom seal nurses her pup and prepares it to wean in 5 to seven weeks.”
