NOAA Confirms Deaths of Endangered Monk Seal Pups on Oahu
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed the deaths of two endangered Hawaiian monk seal pups on Oahu's North Shore. One pup, identified as RV36, was found entangled in a fishing net, while another, known as 'Umi'umi, died from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease. Toxoplasmosis, caused by a parasite found in cat feces, is a leading cause of death among monk seals in Hawaii. The deaths highlight ongoing threats to the species, including entanglement, habitat loss, and disease.