The first Hawaiian monk seal pup to kick off the birthing season on Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll was discovered on February 19, 2025! In the background you will hear hundreds of thousands of ‘ewa'ewa or sooty terns that have arrived in masse to breed on predator free Eastern Island.
Born with a sleek black coat, these pups enter the world weighing up to 35 pounds and grow fast—gaining around 5 pounds a day! After nursing for five to six weeks, they reach nearly 200 pounds before setting off to forage on their own. Over time, their fur shifts to shades of grey and brown, marking the start of their next chapter in the ocean.
The bond between a Hawaiian monk seal pup and its mother is vital for survival. During the first five to six weeks of life, the pup nurses on its mother’s rich, fatty milk, which provides essential nutrients for rapid growth. This nursing period is crucial, as it helps the pup gain strength and fat reserves, ensuring it can thrive once it begins foraging on its own. The mother’s milk is packed with everything the pup needs to grow, gaining around 5 pounds a day, preparing it for life in the ocean.
Article written by Joe Owen and Ann Bell/Photos by Joe Owen/Courtesy Friends of Midway Atoll