This data set includes physical specimens, paper logs and Freezerworks database of all logged information on specimens collected from Hawaiian monk seals since 1975. Information collected on specimens include animal ID's, dates, preservation methods, storage locations, where specimens were analyzed, and results of analyses. Specimens collected are either Non-invasive specimens collected either from dead animals (e.g., tissues, skeletal samples, body fluids, etc.) or samples are collected from live animals by collecting scats, molts, spews, etc. that are found on the beach near live animals. Invasive specimen collection includes tissue plugs collected when animals are tagged, or health screening/survey samples that are collected during animal restraint. Samples are collected by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing health and disease, population genetics, and foraging ecology assessment. Specimens are housed at PIFSC Dole Street office, Kewalo Research Facility, and Ford Island.

This data set contains records of Hawaiian monk seal and green turtle sightings in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) since 1982 at Lisianski Island, and since 1983 for most other locations. Data are collected during standardized whole-island surveys, both timed (censuses/atoll counts) and not timed (patrols/behavior patrols). Other types of surveys and incidental observations are also included in the data set. Although turtles may be recorded on any survey, turtle data collection is only required during censuses/atoll counts. These data include Main Hawaiian Island (MHI) aerial survey data collected in 2000-01. All MHI sighting data were integrated into a common format in 2005, and eventually the monk seal survey data set will contain all monk seal sighting data regardless of location. Though most of the data have been entered, some data are housed at PIFSC in paper form.

This data set contains records for all handling and measurement of Hawaiian monk seals since 1981. Live seals are handled and measured during a variety of events including tagging, instrumenting, disentangling, translocation, and health screening by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment and recovery efforts. In addition, this data set contains measurements of dead seals collected during necropsy and handlings for all seals that were tagged by USFWS in earlier years, and still present in the population when the current research effort began. These handling records extend as far back as 1967. The remainder of the USFWS handling data (data for seals that disappeared prior to the inception of the PSD research program) are housed at PIFSC in paper form.

As social media platforms develop, they potentially provide valuable information for wildlife researchers and managers. NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) is exploring how social media can help scientists understand the biology, ecology and threats to this endangered species. By using the media sharing and social networking service Instagram, we extracted pertinent data while disseminating information and inspiring support for Hawaiian monk seals. Specifically, we investigated how Instagram could: 1) expand our normal data set by identifying individual animals not detected by standard methods, 2) help categorize type and severity of human interactions, 3) provide early warning of concerning seal behaviors, and 4) help assess public perceptions of monk seals. We searched the keyword #monkseal examining a total of 640 public posts from a possible 8,808 available. From these, seals were individually identifiable in 80 posts representing 15.6% of the subpopulation and approximately 108 human-seal interaction events ranging from close approaches to physical interactions. The nature of comments on posts indicated that the general public attitude towards seals is less than 1% negative and that self-policing sometimes occurs on inappropriate posts. Besides gaining information, we were also able to advise the public about seals of concern and solicit information to aid HMSRP’s emergency response. Maximizing benefits on social media requires consideration and tact, especially when promoting a collective mind-shift like responsibly coexisting with wildlife. This relatively new tool has the potential to yield vast amounts of data and soon, developments will streamline data collection, utilization and sharing. Science and technology continue to evolve, and wildlife programs should take advantage of progressive and broadly inclusive tools like social media for the benefit of species conservation.

This data set contains information on Hawaiian monk seal gross necropsy (in some cases only field notes or minimal information) and histopathology results beginning in 1964. Data includes information on all recovered Hawaiian monk seal carcasses that were necropsied. Information derived from pathology reports is included when tissues were reviewed by pathologists. Necropsy tissues are collected by Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program (HMSRP) personnel and cooperating scientists as part of the ongoing health and disease assessment. The tissues are reviewed by collaborating pathologists. All original paper reports are housed at the NOAA Inouye Regional Center (IRC) and most are available electronically. Data are available in an excel spreadsheet.

This data set documents locations and location codes used in monk seal data collection as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment efforts. Information includes atolls, islets within each atoll, sectors valid for each islet, and GPS coordinates. Sectors for the six main breeding locations in the NWHI were established in 1982 at the beginning of concerted data collection by this project, and have remained fairly constant with the exception of boundary changes at Lisianski and Midway in 1992, and islet coding changes at Kure in 1994. In recent years sectors have also been established for the main Hawaiian islands.

This project investigates the dietary consumption of Hawaiian monk seals using traditional dietary analysis of fecal and regurgitate samples. Samples are collected opportunistically at haul out locations throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Main Hawaiian Islands. Information collected during sample collection includes seal identifications and location of collection. Following cleaning and drying protocols, samples are analyzed and prey hard parts are identified to lowest taxonomic resolution. Identification is made to at least Family level, but often Genus, and occasionally Species level.

This project investigates the dietary consumption of Hawaiian monk seals using traditional dietary analysis of fecal and regurgitate samples. Samples are collected opportunistically at haul out locations throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Main Hawaiian Islands. Information collected during sample collection includes seal identifications and location of collection. Following cleaning and drying protocols, samples are analyzed and prey hard parts are identified to lowest taxonomic resolution. Identification is made to at least Family level, but often Genus, and occasionally Species level.

This data set documents observers that have collected monk seal data as part of the ongoing monk seal population assessment efforts by PSD personnel and cooperating scientists. Information includes observer initials, affiliation, and contact information.

The data set contains records of all entanglements of Hawaiian monk seals in marine debris. The data set comprises records of seals entangled by derelict fishing gear, plastic items such as rings or packing bands, or other items of human provenance. Records are also included of seals which have girdling scars characteristic of having been entangled, even if no direct entanglement was observed. The data include number of incidents, not number of individual seals (since some animals have been entangled multiple times). The data do NOT include incidents in which seals become entangled in fishing gear while it is being actively fished. Data include primarily reports from field biologists in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Data set is now complete. Ongoing data on entanglements are recorded in the Hawaiian monk seal Survival Factor dataset.