Hawaiian monk seals, one of the few tropical seal species, have been considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1982. While their numbers are still falling, there is a sign of hope. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration works extensively with Hawaiian monk seals, and they have counted a slight increase in pups over the past three years. Scientists speculate the rise may be because of this year’s warmer water.
But a few more pups haven’t affected the population as a whole, and NOAA will continue their efforts to save the Hawaiian monk seal from extinction.