NOAA Confirms Monk Seal Kaale Died of Toxoplasmosis, 15 Seals Lost in 20 Years
Updated
Updated · Hawaii News Now · Jun 26
NOAA Confirms Monk Seal Kaale Died of Toxoplasmosis, 15 Seals Lost in 20 Years
3 articles · Updated · Hawaii News Now · Jun 26
Summary
NOAA Fisheries said a recent necropsy found Hawaiian monk seal Kaale, also known as RH32, died from toxoplasmosis after his carcass was recovered off Nanakuli on May 6.
March 10 was Kaale’s last known sighting at a regular West Oahu location, where NOAA said he showed no signs of illness before the disease apparently progressed undetected.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that reproduces only in cats and reaches seals through contaminated water or prey, damaging organs including the brain, heart, liver and lungs.
At least 15 Hawaiian monk seals have died from the disease over the past two decades, and NOAA said it also threatens spinner dolphins and native birds such as the nene and alala.
NOAA asked the public to report all monk seal sightings — healthy, injured or dead — to its Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.