Finally, another monk seal

A Hawaiian Monk Seal rests at Upolu on the Big Island of Hawaii

Back on January 25, I posted photos for The Numbers Game that included an old monk seal photo. At the time I thought, I should run this because it’s been ages since I saw a monk seal.

A Hawaiian Monk Seal rests at Upolu on the Big Island of Hawaii

That afternoon, I went for a walk at Upolu and saw this monk seal. I didn’t notice it at first because monk seals tend to blend in well with the rocks they rest on. But when I got closer, I realized what I was looking at. It’s been two and a half years since I last saw one, so maybe I’m out of practice.

A Hawaiian Monk Seal rests at Upolu on the Big Island of Hawaii

I took photos, with a view to being able to identify the seal. I could see red tags in both tail flippers, but the seal’s position left me unable to see what was on the tags. Luckily, just before I left, the seal moved and I was able to get one shot from which I could read the identification.

A Hawaiian Monk Seal tag at Upolu on the Big Island of Hawaii

The seal’s tag read M36, and I sent this photo along with others to the Marine Mammal Center, which tracks monk seals around the islands. I was happy to get a response telling me this monk seal is a female, born in 2020 on Kauai. What was really nice to hear was that she is the pup of BOO, a monk seal I saw several times back in 2016 in the company of I05 (affectionately known as Igor). It’s been almost five years since I saw I05, which could mean bad news or simply that he moved elsewhere. He was not typically a social seal!

Two Hawaiian monk seals tussle in a tide pool.
BOO and IO5 at Upolu in 2016. Original post here.

Yesterday, I went walking at Upolu for the first time in a week and saw the same seal in the same place. I doubt she’s been there the whole time, but perhaps she’s going to make this stretch of coast her new home. One can only hope.

23 thoughts on “Finally, another monk seal”

  2. bushboy

    Good spotting. How many have you missed? I reckon I would have missed seeing them as well, great camouflage. I am glad you saw the tag and could send the info in. Great photos, luckily asleep and not going to have a go at you 😲

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham Post author

      Who knows how many I’ve missed? I feel fortunate though to have seen as many as I have. They’re not really dangerous, though they have been known to nip a person or two. The problem is people getting too close to them, and then they get used to people, and then other people react differently.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham Post author

      Yes, there’s been many a time when I’ve been looking for them, not seen anything, and then spotted something when I get closer.

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    1. Graham Post author

      I love monk seals even though I mostly see them just snoozing. It’s encouraging that their numbers are slowly starting to climb again.

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  5. kzmcb

    What a great story, Graham. I can see why she was hard to spot and think the information you received from the organisation is fantastic. It certainly encourages photographers to share again.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Graham Post author

      I feel very lucky to have seen as many monk seals I have over the years. The Marine Mammal Center does a great job and, happily, monk seal numbers have been rising. There’s now estimated to be around 1600, which is up from 1200 just a few years ago

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham Post author

      Monk seals are actually pretty rare. They’re only found in Hawaii with a related species in the Mediterranean. There used to be some in the Caribbean, but that species in now considered extinct.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham Post author

      They’re the only seals in Hawaii to my knowledge and they are rare, with a population around 1600 these days. Most live around the uninhabited islands in the northwest chain. The last I heard, the numbers around the Big Island were less than 10 but, like this one, they do come and go between islands.

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