Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals Protected

From the Center for Biological Diversity:

In good news for one of the world's most imperiled marine mammals, this Tuesday a Hawaiian senator introduced legislation that would make it a felony to kill or harm Hawaiian monk seals and other endangered species. Within the past year, two male monk seals and one pregnant female fell victim to deadly shootings -- even as the seal's population is expected to drop below 1,000 animals within a few years due to starvation, climate change, entanglement in marine debris, habitat loss, and other threats. Last year saw the lowest number of pups ever produced during breeding season; the population is declining by 4 percent annually. The Hawaiian monk seal's cousin, the Caribbean monk seal, was announced extinct in 2008.

The news about new legislation to protect Hawaiian Monk Seals is especially interesting news for us here at ESPP HQ, since (I'm going the leak some intel here) the Hawaiian Monk Seal is going to be one of the next ESPP print releases. ESPP is also excited to announce that we are partnering with a great on-the-ground, in-the-waves organization working in Hawaii to save these seals, that even operates an 800 number for seal spottings and seal-related emergencies! Keep your eyes open underwater, and check out the ESPP site soon for the new print!