The Hawaiian Monk seal is a rapidly diminishing Endangered Species. The estimated wild population is only 1,200. Only Sea Life Park and the Waikiki Aquarium, in Hawai'i, and Sea World San Antonio are dedicated to preserving those large brown eyes for future generations to see. The value of the Endangered Species Act was demonstrated twice during October, 2003, first when a marine research camera photographed an Hawaiian Monk Seal happily swimming at a depth scientists thought were beyond the physical capability of a seal, and when scientists questioned the Hawaiian Monk Seal's ability to exist with humans!

RM-34, a young Hawaiian Monk Seal, was captured and removed from populated beaches three times during October-November, 2003, for trying to mate with humans, which involves nipping, groping, and pulling them underwater. Of course, human contact with Hawaiian Monk Seals is a violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but laws never stopped people from trying to touch a "cute" seal - or have their photo taken with it!

But this tale has a sad ending: because people would not leave the Hawaiian monk seal alone, the Coast Guard transported RM-34 to Johnston Atoll, the nuclear waste site for the United States. RM-24s future contact with humans with be by radiation. Thanks?, folks!