National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers documented 170 endangered Hawaiian monk seal pups born at the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2023.
Researchers conducted the count during a 28-day trip in August and September, according to a news release.
During the trip, researchers also performed 27 seal interventions to improve their survival. This included moving 22 weaned Hawaiian monk seal pups from an area of Lalo (or French Frigate Shoals), where there was a risk of shark predation, to Tern Island.
Researchers also released five rehabilitated seals back into the wild at Lalo and Kuaihelani.
Every year, researchers conduct similar trips to tag and count monk seals. Researchers apply colored tags to the hind flippers of Hawaiian monk seals shortly after they wean from their mothers at a few weeks of age.
Last year, researchers counted 180 new monk seal pups, but the smaller number may be because in 2023 there was a shortened field season.
NOAA researchers estimated in 2022, the population size of Hawaiian monk seals was 1,605, rising above 1,600 for the first time in 20 years.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project helped NOAA during the trip. The PMDP team even removed an eel from a monk seal pup’s nose.
Researchers were also excited to report that a 28-year-old monk seal mother on Lalo gave birth to her 19th pup, which is a record for most documented births of any monk seal.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.