The Marine Mammal Center Aids Endangered
Twin Hawaiian Monk Seals
October 17, 2006
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) reports that the monk seal twins, known as PO22 and PO26, are now in an ocean pen back on Midway Atoll. The pups are the fourth set of known Hawaiian monk seal twins recorded and the only pair known to survive past weaning. Hawaiian monk seal mothers will not rear twins.
On Tuesday, October 17, (just days after the 6.7 earthquake rattled the Big Island) the animals were taken to Air Station Barbers Point (US Coast Guard facility) and loaded into a C-130 Hercules air transport. Although the flight to Midway was much longer than usual due to 70 mph headwinds, Dr Robert Braun, contract veterinarian PIFSC, said the twins did great on the long flight.
PO22 and PO26 boarding the flight for Midway Atoll
Once on Midway, the seals were transported to their 30' X 80' ocean pen.
Dr. Bob Braun (right) checking the ocean pens.
Releasing the seals into the ocean pen
While the seals patiently waited in their cages, Braun and his team (three PIFSC staff and Tenaya Norris from The Marine Mammal Center) checked the pen to ensure it was secure. After making a couple of minor repairs, the twins were carried to the shoreline area of the ocean pen in their cages and the doors were opened simultaneously. Both seals came out of their cages, met at the water's edge, and proceeded to check out their new, natural surroundings while enjoying some herring.
PO22 and PO26 eating herring and acclimating to
their new ocean pen on Midway Atoll
The twins were brought to Honolulu by PIFSC at the end of May 2006 for nutritional support and kept under strict quarantine while the PIFSC reinstated a Hawaiian monk seal captive care program that had been in hiatus for eight-years. Seal PO22 arrived at PIFSC's Kewalo Research Facility weighing 65 pounds and her twin, PO26, weighed 79 pounds. Each seal is eating about seven pounds of herring a day divided into three meals. They currently weigh 112 pounds and 130 pounds respectively.
Many thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard for providing transport for the seals and to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their cooperation on Midway Atoll.
Pictures and video from PIFSC Kewalo Research Facilities
June 8, 1006 - The Marine Mammal Center Aids Endangered Twin Monk Seals
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