Know Your Ocean: Conservation of the Hawaiian Monk Seal: Efforts to Save a Species

Hawaiian monk seals, the ‘llio holo I ka uaua or “dog that runs in rough water” are a type of seal found nowhere else in the world. They are critically endangered, but conservation efforts are supporting their slow recovery. Learn about what is being done to save this uniquely Hawaiian species and how you can help insure their survival.  Our speaker will dive into the natural history of monk seals, what conservation looks like here in the islands, and share one of Maui’s very own success stories of male RL72.

Presented by Ashley Hechavarria

Ashley works for the Marine Mammal Center and dispatches the Hawaiian monk seal sighting hotline on Maui Island and builds relationships with the Maui community. She brings over a decade of experience working as a naturalist and wildlife biologist specializing in marine mammal rehabilitation and release in Florida, as well as coordinating conservation efforts on Maui. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida, where she also aided in marine paleo-biology research.

Photo Credit: Monk seal photo by NOAA on Unsplash