Hawaiian Monk Seal exhibit

March 2012

This is "Hō'ailona" which means 'Sign from the Sea'.

Abandoned by his mother in 2008 he was rescued and cared for by scientists in Hawai'i. After his release six months later he started interacting with people near a pier and had to be relocated, but he returned soon afterwards. After being captured for a further relocation it was discovered he had cataracts in both eyes and can't be released, so he now lives at the Aquarium.

How many seals does the aquarium have? Do they have a breeding group?

They only have a pair, kept in separate cages next to each other.

Sea Life Park has two pairs, each pair kept together.

The aquarium houses two male Hawaiian Monk seals

I thought I heard a staff member refer to this one as 'she', but you're quite correct - Maka onaona is male aswell. Which probably has something to do with why they're separated.