A pregnant mother of four, RK06 died Thursday after suffering from a suspected gun shot wound. The long-time North Shore resident was a critical member of her community, investing tremendous energy in raising her children. Known locally as ilio-holo-ikauaua (the
A pregnant mother of four, RK06 died Thursday after suffering from a suspected gun shot wound.
The long-time North Shore resident was a critical member of her community, investing tremendous energy in raising her children.
Known locally as ilio-holo-ikauaua (the dog that runs in rough waters), she enjoyed fishing and basking in the sun on secluded beaches.
Friends remember RK06 for her big black eyes and the soft folds of fur around her neck that resembled a monk’s cowl.
A misanthrope at heart, the solitary soul spent the vast majority of her life at sea. She could skin dive to depths of 500 feet for 20 minutes at a time, scouring coral reefs and sandy bottoms for fish, eels, octopus and lobsters.
Despite weighing 600 pounds, RK06 swam with grace in her sleek gray suit.
Although she would often receive star treatment when she stumbled upon more populated locales, humans greatly agitated her.
And so it was on a sunny May day on Kaua‘i that some senseless fool ended her life.
She was preceded in death by a 4-year-old male relative, who was apparently dealt the same fatal hand April 19 at a nearby beach.
This inhumane killing must stop before it’s too late.
The critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the most endangered endemic marine mammal in the United States, deserves protection and those who impede this necessary and noble effort warrant harsh punishment.
With less than 1,200 of these seals left in the world, we should all be championing their comeback. These cruel acts that edge this special species toward extinction must not be allowed to stand.
Hawaiian monk seals, a treat to visitors and a treasure to residents, face enough human and environmental challenges as it is in their perilous fight to recover. From overfishing to habitat loss, shark predation to entanglement, the last thing these precious creatures should have to fear is a coward shooting them in the back while they sun themselves on the beach.
While other countries with healthy seal populations allow their citizens to kill for sport, such is not the case here. A distinct line must be drawn in the sand. These two seals here, like some others before them, were not destroyed for food or cultural practice.
Kaua‘i suffered a terrible loss, but we can still help by sharing useful information with investigators by calling 1-800-853-1964.
We can also participate in educational outreach activities, volunteer to raise funds for seal coordinators and urge our legislators to support seal recovery programs in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Save Our Seals program says every year we wait brings the Hawaiian monk seal closer to extinction. Survival rates of pups have dropped from 80 to 90 percent in the 1970s to less than 15 percent today.
As the older breeding females, such as RK06, die, there are fewer younger animals maturing, which SOS says could lead to a catastrophic collapse of the entire population.
In the long-term, let’s spread the word about the importance of protecting the Hawaiian monk seal and not let another species face obliteration on our watch.
In the short-term, let’s help state and federal authorities catch the perverse person who killed RK06 this week and whoever murdered the 4-year-old male seal last month so they can be brought to justice.
These nefarious nincompoops have earned time behind bars for their actions. As our humane society director has cautioned us in the past, people who senselessly slaughter innocent animals have a higher tendency to act violent against humans.
Let’s put these criminals away before they kill again or hurt another. Their behavior is inexcusable.
