3/17/2018 Remembering Haupu RB24

RB24 Haupu passed on March 17, 2015 from toxoplasmosis. She had been brought into NOAA facility and was under veterinarian care. 

 Although she was a Kauai Girl, she was first seen on Oahu by Team Billand in 2013

 This photo is from January 2015 just a couple of months before she died.

5/23/2016 DB's Dailies: Sadie&Pup(D#26)@Rabbit Island, Cass@China Walls, Kaiwi@Kokee Flats, Buster@Hanauma Bay, Kolohe@Lanai Lookout, R8HY&BG@Mokuleia,U/F Moku Nui, Kekoa@Maili Pt, RL42@Makua Cliffs, Haupu Memorial

As many or most of you know today is D#1 for the Hawaii Marine Mammal Alliance as the duly sanctioned volunteer organization for NOAA. You will notice some changes in the dailies since the volunteers will send their response product, both textual & photographic directly to the HMMA, who will then make the call on further media involvement. Consequently, I will not be publishing any of that info in the dailies. If volunteers send photos on their “off duty” time, that is another story apparently, but please check with your leadership on all of that. Having said that, lets see what the unaffiliated posse found out there today.

 Sadie & Pup (D#26) were in the water on my first look at Rabbit Island, however when I got back to Makai Pier I found them snoozin’ at the water line at the left end of the island. They would do another observed water session and then haul out for another feed and snooze.

 At text from Team Billand advised that Haupu’s (RB24) were spread today at Banyan’s at KoOlina, with flower petals & lei. Haupu died on 3-17-15, from Toxoplasmosis according the Vet Michelle, from NOAA.

 At 1057 Gayle called with the news that Cass (RG06) was at China Walls. HMMA was notified. 

Hanauma Bay posse member Ethel called dat 1506 with the report of an animal newly hauled out to the left side rock flats. I finally got down there at 1645 and confirmed the Buster (RV08) ID.

 At 1706 I found Kolohe (RW22) on the flats and Lanai Lookout.

 At 1058 Team Billand checked in with the report of an U/U foraging off shore of Campbell Industrial Park. They did an afternoon check also but were never able to confirm and ID.

 At 1454 they found RL42 at Makua Cliffs.

 At 1125 Gayle called again, this time to advise that Kaiwi (RK96) was at Irma’s Grotto, Kokee Flats. HMMA was notified.

 Lesley M., called at 0740 to advise that she had R8HY & BG (R303) near the Lyman Estate, Mokuleia.

 Donna Festa forwarded a shot from her kayak posse, at 1303, showing an U/F on Moku Nui today. Based on that shot alone an ID is not possible but I’m hopeful that other shots might pop up, allowing an ID.

 Sadie and Pup D#26

 

 U/F on Moku Nui... hmmm cute little bugga

Buster

 Cass at China Walls

 Kaiwi

 Kolohe at Lanai Lookout

Hauupu Memorial 

 dedication, respect and love

 Kekoa

 RL42

 BG

 R8HY and BG

RB24 Haupu Cause of Death Results are In

https://www.facebook.com/HMSRP/photos/a.180926815280677.39997.122432601130099/963393680367316/?type=1&theater

It's with great sadness to know this beautiful creature suffered so.... I hope through her loss knowledge is gained and the ability to treat or prevent this infection.

Aloha Volunteers,

The following information comes to us from NOAA and has been published.  This may not be surprising information, but it is a very problematic and heart breaking piece of science that we all are facing.  Taxo is a very real problem now in our islands. It is now affecting some of our monk seal population. Monk Seals as many marine mammals  are the "canaries of the ocean" for mankind.  We all mourn the loss of this very special seal, and NOAA is working to find a solution to water testing and to try to mitigate the circumstances when or if monk seals come in contact with this disease.  It is not curable from what I have read, so we all need to be aware of what can be done.

My internet service has cut me off six times in the last hour.  I'm sending this to get it out asap.  Please excuse the abrupt tone of my outreach.  Mahalo and Aloha to you all.

Dana 

Aloha All,
Lab tests have come in, giving us some answers to the cause of death for Haupu (RB24) and her aborted fetus.

It appears that mortality was caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection that affected the brain, lungs, fat, heart and other organs. We do not know exactly when or how the infection was acquired. The Toxoplasma parasites were widespread throughout the body, but where most severe, they led to encephalitis (inflammation in the brain) and severe necrosis of the adipose tissue (tissue degradation in the blubber and internal fat stores). The inflammation seen within the blubber was likely quite painful and explains why Haupu had such a reluctance to haul out or move around. The infection in the lung led to a series of inflammatory processes that made it difficult for Haupu to distribute oxygen to her tissues, including those of her unborn pup. That lack of oxygen, in addition to the placental damage caused by Toxoplasma, explain why she aborted the fetus. Ultimately, Haupu died of respiratory failure because of the inflammation caused by the parasites in the lung. There is little chance that aToxoplasma infection of this severity would have been treatable.

Having a definitive cause of death also helps with understanding what role our handling during the diesel spill may have had on her. At this point it seems that there was no connection between that event and her illness.  

Thanks to all who showed concern and helped with monitoring and capture of Haupu.  Also many thanks to the veterinary experts who helped us understand and learn from this unfortunate loss. While we do not fully understand the risk factors for exposure, infection and death of monk seals from Toxoplasma, we are working to collect more information that may help us understand and develop reasonable target actions to reduce the risk for animals in the future. A review of the life cycle and possible routes of exposure for monk seals is covered in the diagram distributed last year (also attached).

-- 

Aliza Milette-Winfree

Marine Mammal Stranding Response Coordinator

Ocean Associates, Inc Contractor

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Regional Office 

3/22/2015 RB24 Haupu

Thank you Barb for sending the photo of Haupu. This picture was taken on March 19th 2013 when she first showed up on Oahu. She was a Campbells when Team Billand met up with her.

One of the beloved that went too soon

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

3/17/2015 YesterYear Haupu in Her Young'en Days

Haupu being young and silly

thank you Mary so much for sharing!

there you go.... pssst there was an easier way around about two feet to your left

and away you go!!!

3/16/2015 Haupu Captured by NOAA Team

The following photos fall under NOAA Permit # 932-1905 and should not be reproduced without the permission of NOAA.  

Here's the NOAA Team very carefully getting Haupu out of the Lagoon onto shore

 Oh this girl is GREEN!!!!!

 Take car Haupu I hope they can help you out