Hawaiian+Monk+Seal+-++Kyndall+B

The Hawaiian Monk Seal lives in the marine and terrestrial habitats of the Pacific Ocean. Common sites where you can find the seals are the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands of Kure Atoll, Pearl and Hermes reefs, Lisianske Island and Laysan Island. They eat reef-dwelling fish or invertebrates. The seals usually reproduce between the months of March and June. The gestation period is 335 days, and the mother typically gives birth to 1 pup at a time. After the mothers give birth the mother must live off of stored fat because she and her pup are always together. Males normally become more dominant and aggressive. The males out number females 3 to 1. The Hawaiian Monk Seal has several threats including: habitat loss, fishermen, limitation on food, global warming, commercial harvesting, disease, and spills. Their ICUN status is critically endangered and they are on the red list.

A lot is being done to help the seals. On November 27, 2007 the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan was initiated to the protection of the seals provided by the refuges. Young seals are Captured form the wild and taken to the Midway Atoll. They are kept there so that shark attacks and debris can't harm them, and constant food is supplied. Once the seals are grown they release them back into the wild. The seals have several organizations helping them. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands state Marine Refuge, the Kure Atoll State Wildlife Refuge, Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve an Papahanamokuakea Marine National Monument are all working together to protect the seals habitat from human interruption. I can do many things to help the seals out, but the most reasonable thing to do is a fundraiser. I can get a group of my friends together and we can go to our neighbors and ask them to donate money for the seals. Then I can also set up a stand or something at school and kids can donate money to it if they want. I will then mail the money to the organization or foundation trying to help the seals.

bibliography: www.ecomii.com marinemammalcenter.org pifsc.noaa.gov conservationcute.blogspot.com

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