Tuesday, June 14, 2011

REMINDER Thursday June 16th Hanauma Bay

“The Next in Line: Mediterranean Monk Seals and the Threat of their Extinction”

Dr. Alex Karamanlidis, Wildlife Biologist, ARCTUROS, and MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal


Despite having reached perilously low numbers, the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) remains one of the most unknown and elusive mammals of the planet. The MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal is a greek, non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of this critically endangered species. With more than 20 years now of experience in the research and conservation of Mediterranean monk seals in Greece and abroad, the researchers of MOm have gained rare insights in the biology and behavior of the species. Following a brief introduction on the biology and status of the three monk seal species, the presentation of Dr. Karamanlidis, the scientific Coordinator of MOm will focus on the efforts that have been carried out so far in Greece to study and protect the Mediterranean monk seal and highlight the necessity to design and implement effective management and conservation measures in the last stronghold of the species, in Greece. The presentation will include rare images and audio-visual material from infra-red cameras that have been placed inside breeding caves of the species.


As always, these events begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening in the theatre at the Hanauma Bay Education Center. Events are free and open to the public, with no charge for parking after 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you on Thursday evening! These programs are supported and funded by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.

1 comment:

Barbara said...

Rob and I so enjoyed the lecture from Greece on Monk Seals. Living in caves, how different, mom's stay with the pup, 5 months!! They have a different vocal tone, cool. Mom's leave pups on first day to eat. We saw the actual delivery of a Mediteranian pup, awesome. No pups drown when the tide rises, there is no high tide. They only drown because of big storms, and the evil, NETS out there. So glad we made the trek out to Haunama bay..it was so worth it. We didnt lke leaving Makaiwi unattended, we did call for troops, but Dana said, NO VOLUNTEERS could go to White Plains. Thats amazing, we got 269 members..thats 269 people..wow.But Vera Cober made it out and god bless her. And in the end, Jan Dill went to Plains to check with her family and saw Makaiwi was still there and ok. Thanks guys, you are the bestest!!!!
Max was at Kalaeloa, alone also, but ok.
After the lecture, which we so enjoyed, we went to Plains at 8:40pm, Makaiwi was gone, pulled our signs and left for the day...PHEW..we is done!!!
And before the meeting at Haunama Bay, we went to spitting caves and watched Duke, foraging at 10 min. dives. What a spectacular view..spitting caves, yet so dangerous, you got to take your time going up and down those rocks. DB, how you do that route daily and multiple times is super incredible!! But we can understand why one would go there every day...just beautiful. K den, thats it...thanks for the awesome presentation Haunama Bay!!!