Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument has had a baby boom — 171 monk seal pups born this year. The count, by biologists on an annual field camp, is good news for Hawaii’s endangered state mammal. In fact, the Hawaiian monk seal is one of only two monk seal species remaining on Earth, so this little burst of fecundity is a joy for the planet.
It will be five to 10 years before they are mature enough to go forth and multiply, so for now we simply say welcome, little monkettes.
