Term
| What does the monk seals's Hawaiian name "ilio-holo-i-ka-au-au" mean? |
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Definition
| The monk seal's Hawaiian name means "Dog that runs through rough waters" |
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Term
| What is the current population status of the Hawaiian Monk Seal? |
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Definition
| Current population estimates for the Hawaiian Monk Seal of 1200-1300 represents a decline of approximately 60% since the late 1950's. |
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Term
| Why are they called Monk Seals? |
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Definition
| Some believe the Monk Seal's name relates to their monk-like preference for solitude while others think the loose skin around the seals neck resembles the hood of a monk's robe. |
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Term
| Describe "catastrophe molt". Why does this put the animal at a disadvantage. |
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Definition
| Monk seal molt once a year due to the constant wear and tear on their skin. They are the only the seal besides the elephant seal that looses a top layer of skin along with the coat of hair. This leaves the animal vulnerable to disease and injury during the molting process. |
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Term
| Name at least 3 natural causes reasons monk seals are at risk. |
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Definition
| 1) predation by sharks 2) parasites 3) mobbing of adult females and their young by adult males 4) complications from catastrophic molt |
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Term
| Name at least 3 human caused reasons monk seals are at risk. |
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Definition
1) pollution
2) sensitive to human activity
3) entanglement in abandoned fishing lines and nets
4) no fleeing sense makes them easy prey for sealing
5) mothers may abandon young if threatened |
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Term
| Why do we have Hawaiian Monk Seals at SeaWorld? |
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Definition
| The Hawaiian Monk Seals at SeaWorld were part of a Head Start program in Hawaii. When it was determined they could not forage or defend themselves in their natural habitat, the NMFS sought to relocate the entire group from the Kewalo Research Facility in Hawaii to a more spacious home for long term care. |
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Term
| How has the SWBG Conservation Fund helped monk seals in the field? |
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Definition
| The SWBG Conservation fund has helped Hawaiian Monk Seals by funding a variety of projects. In the field, research scientists and marine mammal experts including Animal Care Staff at SWSA work together on a head start program to help encourage survival of juvenile monk seal populations. Young female pups are hand reared in beach pens in the far Northwest Islands of Hawaii. The goal is to raise the pups to one year of age in excellent health, so that their chance of survival is greatly increased. |
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Term
| How has the SWBG Conservation Fund helped monk seals at zoological facilities? |
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Definition
| The SWBG Conservation Fund aids projects in zoological facilities such as SeaWorld. In 2004, the Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute in California conducted a study on the catastrophic molt of monk seals. |
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