Rare seal settling into UCSC's marine lab

— Researchers at the University of California at Santa Cruz are studying a rare Hawaiian Monk Seal so they can help the dwindling population in the wild.

Experts say the monk seal population has dropped to 1,100 and dwindles at a rate of 4 percent each year. Biologist Terrie Williams, who is overseeing the research, says it is the most endangered marine mammal in the U.S.

The seal has been named Hoailona, which means "a sign from the ocean" in Hawaiian. He was brought to Santa Cruz's Long Marina Lab from the island of Molokai in November.

As a pup, the seal was abandoned by his mother. He suffers from cataracts, and was surviving on food handouts.

In Santa Cruz, researchers are studying his temperature tolerance and the energy he expends to swim, so they can better understand monk seals' habitat requirements.


Information from: Santa Cruz Sentinel, http://www.santacruzsentinel.com

The Associated Press


