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WEEKLY NEWS 1: Seal Finds His Way Home

Last month a monk seal was found off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, with fishing line trailing from his mouth. Although he had a circle fishhook lodged in his esophagus, he was quick enough and healthy enough that rescuers had to chase him for a few days before capturing him. Finally, after a long pursuit, he was in the care of doctors at Kewalo Research Facility.

Monk seals have been an endangered species since 1976. This particular monk seal, named TT40, is 20-years-old and weighs 500 pounds. He might seem like a strong and tough seal, but doctors were very concerned about challenges of operating on him to remove the fishhook. The hook bent back towards itself to make a circle, which made it very difficult to aid the monk seal. His esophagus was snared inside the shape of the hook.

The first attempt to remove the hook failed. The doctors operated for 5 1/2 more hours. They were eventually successful and freed TT40 of the hook. Miraculously, the incision along TT40’s abdomen healed without infection. The endangered monk seal began to eat and swim again within five days of surgery.

As a result of the careful surgery and healthy recovery, TT40 was released back into the Pacific. Once off the shores of Salt Pond Beach, the monk seal was able to go home last Wednesday. His survival and return to the ocean was the product of community efforts from veterinarians, the state of Hawaii, the Coast Guard, the Marines, the University of Hawaii and many others who work to save endangered species. Teamwork saved this monk seal’s life.

--Written by Katheryn Troyer

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