NOAA identifies cause of death for Hawaiian monk seal found off Nanakuli
Hawaii News Now • • health
Key Points:
- NOAA Fisheries confirmed that a Hawaiian monk seal named Kaale (RH32) died from toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, after a necropsy following its discovery dead in Nanakuli in May.
- Kaale was last seen alive on March 10 at a regular West Oahu location without signs of illness, and the carcass was reported on May 6, with identification confirmed on May 19.
- Toxoplasmosis, which reproduces only in cats but can infect warm-blooded animals through contaminated water or prey, causes severe organ inflammation and dysfunction, often remaining undetected until advanced stages.
- The disease poses a significant threat to Hawaiian monk seals and has killed at least 15 seals in the past 20 years, also affecting other native species like spinner dolphins, Hawaiian geese, and crows.
- NOAA urges the public to report all seal sightings, whether healthy, injured, or deceased, to the Marine Wildlife Hotline to aid in monitoring and conservation efforts.
