THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PROMOTE THE SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY OF THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL (HMS) (NEOMONACHUS SCHAUINSLANDI / `ILIO HOLO I KA UAUA) POPULATION. IN THE PROJECT YEAR, WE WILL STRENGTHEN OUR HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL HOSPITAL STAFFS KNOWLEDGE AND CREDENTIALS, WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURING A HIGH STANDARD OF CARE FOR MARINE MAMMALS AND OTHER AQUATIC WILDLIFE. WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR GOAL THROUGH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: 1. REHABILITATE 4-8 INJURED OR ILL HMS AND CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL INCLUDING INFECTIOUS DISEASE SCREENING, ADVANCED CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS, AND POST-MORTEM INVESTIGATION WHERE NECESSARY. 2. ARCHIVE AND STORE STANDARDIZED HEALTH DATA, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES AND TISSUE SAMPLES, TO MONITOR HEALTH TRENDS, INFORM CONSERVATION EFFORTS, AND SUPPORT THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL RESEARCH PROGRAM (HMSRP) AT NOAA FISHERIES. 3. `INCREASE THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL HOSPITALS CAPACITY FOR CRITICAL ANIMAL CARE BY INCREASING VETERINARY SKILLS TRAINING AND HOURS OF THE CURRENT ANIMAL CARE COORDINATOR.
Posted 12/13/24, 12:00 AM