3/18/2015 The Official Announcement Haupu RB24 Passes Away

Aloha Dedicated Volunteers, 

As you know Haupu was brought in for assessment and rehabilitation on Monday afternoon. We are all deeply saddened to report today that Haupu passed awayyesterday afternoon. A necropsy was performed last night late into the evening. At present, we don't have a definitive cause of death and we will need to wait for the ancillary diagnostics and histopathology before we can make any firm conclusions. RB24 was in robust condition but was clearly ill. We did not see any signs of obvious trauma. There were abnormalities in multiple tissues and there was abundant free fluid in the abdomen, but again we need to wait for lab results to help interpret these abnormalities. 

We appreciate everyone's time and effort in monitoring her, especially over the last few weeks and we will continue to update you as we gain new information.

David Schofield

T. David Schofield, MSc
Marine Mammal Health and Response Program Manager
NOAA IRC
NMFS/PIRO/Protected Resources Division
1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176
Honolulu, HI 96818

Aloha Good People  - We are all saddened by this news..... and I am sure many of you can appreciate how difficult this must be for Team Billand after spending endless hours watching over her at the lagoon.  I asked Barbara to send me some photos' of Haupu that she had in her files....to share with all of you and give you an opportunity to express your thoughts.  

It is ALWAYS difficult to lose one of our beloved monk seals..... and often times we may feel like giving up, but in the end it's so important to stay strong, keep focused and continue to do all the work you do .... it's needed and appreciated.  

A HUI HO SWEET HAUPU

May 2nd 2013 when Team Billand first met her at Nimitz Cove

 January 28th 2015 at Nimitz

 January 2nd at White Plains with Rip

 January 15th at White Plains