A Hawaiian Monk Seal Resting on the Idyllic Sandy Beach (00006862)
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Description: The Hawaiian monk seal, also known as Monachus schauinslandi, is a fascinating creature that is considered a living fossil. Approximately 60 of these unique seal species reside in the remote Midway Atoll in the northwestern region of the Hawaiian Islands. Measuring up to two meters in length and weighing between 200 and 300 kilograms, these majestic creatures feed on a variety of marine life such as reef fish, octopuses, and lobsters. They are extremely sensitive to human influences and are therefore facing the threat of extinction. Learn more about this fascinating species and its unique way of life.
Location: Hawaiian Islands, Midway, USA
Date of Capture: 19.07.2001