Hawaiian+Monk+Seal-Taylor+V

=Hawaiian Monk Seal=
 * By: Taylor Vaughan**


 * The Hawaiian Monk Seal is the most endangered species in U.S. waters. The seal lives in most of the islands in Hawaii such as the Kure Atoll, Midway Atoll, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianki Island and French Frigate Shoals. They live in ocean and on land and hang out on the open beaches of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Monk Seal lives on octupuses, flatfish, eels, and spiny lobsters. The Monk Seal usually reproduces between the months of March and June. The gestation period is around 335 days and the mom most of the time gives birth to one seal in a cave or on the beach in Hawaii. After the birth the mother and her pup must stay together, therefore, the mommy seal must live off stored fat. Sadly, the Hawaiian Monk Seal is on the "critically endangered" list according to the IUCN.**


 * What is the threat to your animal?**
 * Sadly the Hawaiian Monk Seal faces many challenges with extinction. The major threat is habitat loss this is caused by global warming and the fact that the sea-level rises and causes the water to get cooler. Leaving the seals to have to relocate to somewhere different. Another threat is the seals food limitation, the cause of this is the fact of the ocean. It's conditions are always changing therefore the food is going to change along with it. Sharks are also a threat because they are not afraid to make an attack on the** **baby seals**//**.**//


 * What is the IUCN status and what does it mean?**
 * The IUCN has a "Red List" for endangered animals and the Hawaiian Monk Seal is listed as "critically endangered." Which means that the seal is extremely close to extinction and we need to act fast and help save the seals. There are estimated only about 1,200 seals left on this earth. Can you imagine a world without the cute little seals?**


 * What group or person is helping?**
 * The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands State Marine Refuge, the Kure Atoll State Wildlife Refuge, the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument are working together to protect the Hawaiian monk seal’s habitat from human interruption. The Hawaiian Monk Seal Plan was started and put to work for protection of the seals. Then the Captive Care Project was put into action, this a project that protects the baby seals. Young seals are rescued and taken to Midway Atoll so the remain unharmed by sharks and predators and also can have time to grow. Once the pup is finally grown they are released back into the ocean.**


 * What can I do to help?**

media type="custom" key="23056180" align="center"
 * I am part of a church youth group and we take part in a lot of fundraisers to raise money for different things. My idea was to have a car wash to raise money for the seals. All of the proceeds and donations can go to the Midway Atoll to help nurture these young pups. The youth group could also host a bake sale and the donations could go to saving the pups. Also in the church services we take up an offering each Sunday so we could designate the offering to saving the pups.**
 * Bibliography:**
 * [|www.ecomi.com]**
 * [|www.conservationcute.blogspot.com]**
 * [|www.itsnature.com]**
 * [|www.redorbit.com]**
 * [|www.noaanews.com]**
 * [|www.animalspot.net]**