LIHU‘E — The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA) announced on Tuesday that endangered Hawaiian monk seal RS10 is back home on Kaua‘i due to community volunteers and joint agency efforts.
RS10 ingested a fishing hook in March and was treated at The Marine Mammal Center’s monk seal hospital Ke Kai Olaus on Hawai‘i island.
Following a successful hook removal by veterinary experts at the hospital, using special dehooking tools while the seal was under anesthesia, RS10 was brought back to Kaua‘i by the U.S. Coast Guard.
NOAA Fisheries said on March 16, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources staff and volunteers on Kaua‘i reported that the 8-month-old Hawaiian monk seal RS10 was resting on the sand with about 30 feet of fishing line trailing from his mouth.
“When fishing line is seen going into a monk seal’s mouth, the hook is generally either lodged somewhere in the mouth, or even more concerningly, ingested. An ingested fishing hook is life-threatening for a monk seal,” NOAA Fisheries said.
“The hook can prevent the seal from eating properly. It can also cause internal damage that can lead to a seal’s death. Rescue was in RS10’s best interest since removing an ingested hook is complicated and not something that can be done on the beach.”
A combined team from NOAA and DLNR successfully rescued RS10 on March 21 and the U.S. Coast Guard transported the seal to The Marine Mammal Center Ke Kai Ola monk seal hospital.
X-rays confirmed that a fishing hook was lodged in the seal’s esophagus.
RS10 recovered well from his procedure of having the hook removed using special dehooking tools while under anesthesia, and received fish and anti-inflammatory drugs to aid in the post-recovery process.
RS10 was transported back to Kaua‘i where he was released near his capture location. NOAA Fisheries reported that RS10 has been spotted following his release looking healthy now that he is hook-free.
“Our thanks to the Kaua‘i community volunteers, the DLNR, The Marine Mammal Center, and the USCG for making RS10’s recovery possible,” the NOAA Fisheries said.
“Help save a life and keep seals hook-free by following FAST tips found on the NOAA website https://tgilinks.com/3PWClAv for Fishing Around Seals and Turtles.”
