Hō‘ailona’s Health & Science Updates
APRIL 2011 ~
Hō‘ailona has also completed his training for performing voluntary dives and perimeter swims around his pool. He is currently diving to the bottom of his pool, and remaining still, for over 4 minutes and is working up to that same time goal with his perimeter swims.
Hō‘ailona has had an extremely busy few months with new behaviors learned, medical exams, and working on groundbreaking research.
Hō‘ailona continues to grow as he approaches his third birthday. He is weighed and measured on a weekly basis providing valuable information on growth rates for juvenile Hawaiian monk seals. Over the weeks, we continue to see increases in his length, girth, and weight to be expected from a growing boy. He continues to enjoy basking on his deck, playing in his incoming water sources, as well as the variety of environmental enrichment he is given on a daily basis.
Hō‘ailona stationing under the metabolic dome with his trainer close by. When the dome is present, it is difficult to draw Hō‘ailona’s attention away from it as it has become one of his favorite spots to hang out.
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After completing these behaviors, he is surfacing underneath his metabolic dome so we can look at how much energy he is using when completing these activities. As discussed in the last update, this information is vital, as it will provide us with a general idea of how many calories a Hawaiian monk seal uses with each swim stroke. This information will aid in monk seal conservation by allowing field researchers and observers to compare available resources to how much energy these animals require to get to their feeding, breeding, and resting areas. Hō‘ailona continues to excel with this project allowing us all to learn more about Hawaiian monk seals.
(NMFS Permit No. 932-1905)
(NMFS Permit No. 932-1905)
Hō‘ailona working with his trainers to have his length taken. He continues to grow at a steady rate.
Hō‘ailona completed his training for voluntary ultrasounds and now allows his trainers to perform ultrasounds anywhere on his body. This is a key component to making sure we provide him with the best possible medical care throughout his life. Additionally, this training was applied in order to allow for a very through eye exam to be completed. A team of specialists visited Long Marine Lab and conducted another eye exam to determine the current state of Hō‘ailona’s eyes. Hō‘ailona performed excellently during the exam, making all of his trainers very proud of everything that he has accomplished.
(NMFS Permit No. 932-1905)
Hō‘ailona lying down for an ultrasound.
(NMFS Permit No. 932-1905)
(NMFS Permit No. 932-1905)
(NMFS Permit No. 932-1905)
Hō‘ailona playing and interacting with various toys in his environment.
Links to Previous Updates
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