Ep 20. Hawaiian Monk Seals

Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin is a television series exploring the mysteries of our oceans and the creatures that call it their home. In season 1 episode 20 titled "Hawaiian Monk Seals," viewers are taken on an adventure to Hawaii to learn about the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals.

Jeff Corwin, a wildlife biologist and nature conservationist, leads the episode with his knowledgeable and enthusiastic demeanor. The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the world's rarest marine mammals, with only around 1,400 still in existence. Jeff takes viewers on a journey to understand why this species is endangered and what is being done to protect it.

The episode begins by highlighting the exquisite natural beauty of Hawaii, but also the danger it poses to the Hawaiian monk seal. The monk seal's habitat is rapidly declining due to human development, climate change, and the introduction of non-native species. Jeff explains how the Hawaiian monk seal's life is intertwined with Hawaii's history and culture, making its conservation even more important.

Next, viewers are introduced to a team of experts that are working together to protect the Hawaiian monk seal. Jeff joins Dr. Charles Littnan, lead scientist for the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, on a mission to tag juvenile monk seals on a deserted island off the coast of Hawaii. The tagging allows the researchers to track the seal's movements and gather data to better understand their behavior and population.

Jeff also meets with Dr. Teri Orr, a veterinarian who specializes in Hawaiian monk seals. Dr. Orr explains how she cares for sick and injured seals and also how she teaches the public about the importance of protecting this critically endangered species.

Throughout the episode, viewers learn more about the life cycle of the Hawaiian monk seal. Jeff visits the NOAA Fisheries Monk Seal Hospital where he learns about the efforts being made to rehabilitate injured seals and how the monks are trained to feed themselves in the wild.

The Hawaiian monk seal is often affected by human activities, such as ingesting marine debris and getting entangled in fishing nets. To combat this, Jeff visits a group of school kids who have created their own program to clean up the beaches and remove marine debris, which they then turn into works of art. Jeff also explores how local fishermen work with scientists to reduce the monk seals' interaction with fishing gear.

Finally, Jeff highlights the future of the Hawaiian monk seal and what is being done to ensure its survival. He visits a hatchery where researchers grow a particular type of algae that the monk seals depend on for survival. Jeff also interviews local activists who have dedicated their lives to saving the monk seal, from education programs in schools to political activism.

In conclusion, "Hawaiian Monk Seals" is an enlightening episode of Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin that not only showcases the beauty of this critically endangered species but also the efforts being made to protect them. Jeff Corwin's passion for conservation is evident throughout the episode, and viewers are sure to be left with a newfound appreciation for the Hawaiian monk seal.