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Caribbean Monk Seal Extinct

Seal only one of its kind to vanish because of human causes

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 7, 2008 4:47 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Caribbean monk seals, the sea dwellers first discovered during Columbus’s second voyage in 1494, are officially extinct—the only seal to vanish because of human causes, MSNBC reports. “Humans left the Caribbean monk seal population unsustainable after overhunting them,” a biologist explained. The seal, a native of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, hadn’t been spotted for 50 years.

"The fate of the Caribbean monk seal is a wake-up call for us to act quickly to protect other endangered monk seal populations," said one advocate. Its cousins, the Hawaiian and Mediterranean monk seals, face dwindling populations. About 1,700 exist between the two species.

The Hawaiian monk seal is a treasure to preserve for future generations, said biologist Bud Antonelis.
"The Hawaiian monk seal is a treasure to preserve for future generations," said biologist Bud Antonelis.   (AP Photo/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The Hawaiian monk seal population is declining at a rate of about 4 ercent per year.
The Hawaiian monk seal population is declining at a rate of about 4 ercent per year.   (AP Photo/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
A Hawaiian monk seal. Its relative, the Caribbean monk seal, was declared officially extinct by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service.
A Hawaiian monk seal. Its relative, the Caribbean monk seal, was declared officially extinct by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service.   (AP Photo/Tony Cheng, FILE)
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More on the history of Caribbean seal monks
NOAA

Two other seal species also threatened
Associated Press

 
extinction • Caribbean • Gulf of Mexico • biology • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Caribbean monk seal

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