Nature

A place to discussion nature on Farcaster

Aukai is another of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program's success stories.

She had her picture splashed across the news in January 2013, when she was spotted with a three pronged spear embedded into her head. You can just see a small dimple on the top of her head, where I believe the injury was.

Thanks to the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands staff and a vet from the The Marine Mammal Center, the spear was removed and she has fully recovered.

Part of my Monk Seal Monday collection!

Wildlife and landscape photographer from Hawaii. All photos copyrighted. More images on my website: www.jasonorourke.com

https://foundation.app/collection/honu

Great story! How old is she now? 12 or older?

Hmmmm… that’s a good question. 12 sounds roughly right since I took this picture 9 years ago and she was still a juvenile, if I recall correctly (so, less than 5 years old at the time). Probably 12-14 years old.

Let me check the news stories…

Yep, she was 7-months old when this incident happened in 2013, so she’s 12 in 2025.

Multidisciplinary photographer.
Areas of interest - long exposure, minimalist, fine art architecture,  architectural street and landscape photography.

Hmmmm… that’s a good question. 12 sounds roughly right since I took this picture 9 years ago and she was still a juvenile, if I recall correctly (so, less than 5 years old at the time). Probably 12-14 years old.

Let me check the news stories…

Yep, she was 7-months old when this incident happened in 2013, so she’s 12 in 2025.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/20877278/hawaiian-monk-seal-found-with-spear-in-head/

Yep, a weaner at seven months old when this happened, a juvenile when I photographed her years ago, but an adult with her own pups now.
🤙🏼💙🦭