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The New York Times: Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals

In response to the increasing threat of bird flu, marine mammal researchers are hoping to provide a life-saving, preventative vaccine for endangered Hawaiian monk seals. 

Learn how researchers at The Marine Mammal Center are studying the bird flu vaccine in elephant seals as a similar species, as well as our next steps to protect Hawaiian monk seals.

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Northern elephant seal
Hawaiian monk seal Lele-aka
endangered

Lele-aka

Hawaiian Monk Seal
Neomonachus schauinslandi

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Hawaiian monk seal pup Lele-aka was severely underweight when she was found alone on a beach without her mother in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, which is home to about 80 percent of this endangered population.

Her name means “milky way” in Hawaiian, and the stars aligned for this pup when she was brought to Ke Kai Ola, our Hawaiian monk seal hospital in the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Lele-aka was initially fed fish-mash smoothies until she was strong enough to transition to eating whole fish.

After nine months of care, Lele-aka regained her health and was released back to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands where she will help rebuild this endangered population of just 1,400 animals.

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photo © The Marine Mammal Center / NOAA permit #18786


Age at Admit
Pup
Sex
Female
Rescue Location
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Diagnosis
Malnutrition
Admitted
08/24/2016
Status
Released
Release Date
05/28/2017
Release Location
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Yes, I want to save a life!

Yes, I want to save a life!

You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.

  • $35 You'll buy food for a hungry animal
  • $45 You'll provide life-saving medical care
  • $65 You'll make second chances possible

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