Caribbean Monk Seal Declared Extinct

[T.Ruth2power]

Caribbean Monk Seal Now Extinct

June 7, 2008 9:18 a.m. EST

Honolulu, HI (AHN) - U.S. Federal officials confirmed Friday the extinction of the Caribbean monk seal due to human hunting.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service made the announcement after concluding a five-year review, noting that the last confirmed sighting of the Caribbean monk seal was back in 1952, somewhere between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

According to NOAA biologists, the demise of the species was caused by over hunting. They explained that monk seals are vulnerable to hunters while resting, birthing, or nursing their pups.

"Humans left the Caribbean monk seal population unsustainable after over hunting them in the wild," Kyle Baker, NOAA Fisheries Service biologist said in a statement on the agency's website.

"Worldwide, populations of the two remaining monk seal species are declining," added Baker, saying, "We hope we've learned from the extinction of Caribbean monk seals, and can provide stronger protection for their Hawaiian and Mediterranean relatives."

NOAA biologists noted that Hawaiian and Mediterranean monk seals are at risk of extinction. Their populations are dipping below 1,200 and 500 individuals, respectively partly because they have been losing their food supply and beaches to humans.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011197698

[T.Ruth2power]

1. It's all connected

n/t