Called ōpeʻapeʻa, or Half-Leaf in Hawaiian, this misunderstood species is endangered. This bat species is the only other endemic mammal species found in Hawaii, along with the monk seal. Best traveler practices include not disturbing a resting seal, and keeping foreign flora and fauna out of the biosensitive state. Those organizations include the Hawaii Conservation, Marine Mammal Center, and the Marine Conservation Institute. There are many ways to help keep this one-of-a-kind creature from going extinct, from supporting organizations focused on conservation efforts to practicing responsible traveling. Hawaiian monk seals seem unaware of their status on the endangered species list: watching them frolic in the water along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast or sunbathe on the white sandy shores of the same island inspires nothing short of pure delight. Species survival is currently dependent on conservation efforts, which intervened to grow their population from 150 as recently as 2004. According to the Marine Mammal Center the Hawaiian monk seal, “population is currently only about 1,100 and decreasing approximately 4% per year.” Like many marine creatures, their livelihood is threatened by human encroachment, and their small population size makes genetic variation limited. Pinnipeds are semi-aquatic mammals like walruses and sea lions, and the Hawaiian Monk Seal is the most endangered of them all.

Taking animal hides from hawaii