Environmental groups and an anonymous donor are stepping up efforts to find those responsible for the recent deaths of monk seals in Hawaii — three on Molokai and one on Kauai. Three of the deaths have been deemed suspicious, while a fourth is under review. 

The total amount donated is $30,000 — or $10,000 per seal. 

From the state Department of Land and Natural Resources: 

Along with The HSUS’s $2,500 reward offering, the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Marine Conservation Institute are collectively offering $2,500 for each incident. A generous anonymous local donor has offered to match these rewards, bringing the reward total up to $30,000, or $10,000 per seal. 
 
“We are pleased to support the critical work of DOCARE by funding a reward program and tip line for information on illegal wildlife-related offenses,” said Inga Gibson, Hawai‘i state director for The HSUS. “We must be a voice for these innocent animal victims and encourage anyone with information to please call the confidential tip line.”

“Monk seals are a vital part of Hawai‘i’s marine ecosystems,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson. “The intentional killing of any monk seal is not only illegal, it is inexcusable environmentally and culturally.”

“We thank The HSUS for their sponsorship of this new program to help protect Hawaii’s precious wildlife,” said Randy Awo, DOCARE chief. “Our hope is that the reward program will deter future wildlife crimes and also encourage the community to become more involved in protecting our environment and reporting wildlife offenses.”

DLNR has also launched a tip line for reporting poaching or wildlife related crimes: 1-855-DLNR-TIP

Credit: NOAA