Hawaiian Monk Seal

Neomonachus schauinslandi

Critically Endangered

Region

Northeast Africa

Habitat

Dry forest

Countries

Gabon

Status

Critically Endangered

About the Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered pinnipeds on earth, and one of the least-known.

Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, the species numbers around 1,500 individuals, a population that has been declining for decades.

The monk seal got its name from the folds of skin around its neck that resemble a monk's hood.

The name fits a creature that is quiet, solitary, and increasingly rare. In the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, marine debris accumulates on the beaches.

Threats They Face

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Habitat loss -- habitat loss, human disturbance, or similar pressures affect this species.
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Poaching -- habitat loss, human disturbance, or similar pressures affect this species.
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Climate change -- habitat loss, human disturbance, or similar pressures affect this species.

Conservation Actions

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Protected areas -- active measures are underway to protect and restore this species and its habitat.
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Anti-poaching -- active measures are underway to protect and restore this species and its habitat.
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Community education -- active measures are underway to protect and restore this species and its habitat.