The extinct Caribbean monk seal

Federal authorities have officially confirmed what scientists have predicted for a long time: The Caribbean monk seal has suffered the same fate as extinct birds.

Biologists warn that the seals of Hawaii and the Mediterranean may be the next to go when people are still hunting weak creatures to study, get meat or fat.

The last time a Caribbean monk seal was seen was in 1952 in Jamaica and the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service (NOAA) officially announced that the creature was extinct on Friday.

Kyle Baker, a biologist working for NOAA's Fisheries Service in the southeast region, said the Caribbean monk seal is the only seal that humans have become extinct.

In 1967, the Caribbean seal was first classified as a threatened species. Wildlife experts have investigated several times of the discovery of the Caribbean seal in the past few decades, but authorities have confirmed it to be another seal.

The federal agency declared that there were less than 1200 Hawaiian monk seals and less than 500 Mediterranean monk seals. Their numbers are still declining.

Hawaiian seals.(Photo: www.kauaimonkseal.com )

Baker said: 'Hopefully, we can learn from the extinction of the Caribbean monk's seal, thereby more stringently protecting the two relatives of the Hawaiian and Mediterranean seals.

The Hawaiian seal population protected by NOAA is also decreasing in number gradually by 4% per year . The agency predicts that the number of seals will drop to less than 1,000 within the next three to four years, making it the world's most endangered mammal.

'When the number of individuals remaining is too small, their fate becomes precarious. They are easily threatened by sharks or shark hunting '.

Vicki Cornish - wildlife expert at the Ocean Protection Agency - says the fate of Caribbean seals is a wake-up call to protect the remaining seal populations.

'We must act immediately to minimize the risk of threatening existing priests' populations before it is too late. They play an important role in the balance of the ocean. We cannot hesitate any longer. '

The priest's seal is especially sensitive to human impact. They were taken away from beaches and food supplies.

'Previously Hawaiian, Caribbean and Mediterranean had a very rich fish reserve, but these areas have now become large fishing areas. Seals must eat almost anything, such as fins or fins. However, their food sources are gradually depleted, they must compete with people. '

The Hawaiian priest seal named Nuka raised his head above the water surface (photo taken on March 2, 1998 at Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu).The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service (NOAA) officially announced the extinct Caucasian priest seal on Friday June 6, 2008. Hawaiian seals protected by NOAA are also in decline. reduce the number gradually by 4% each year.The agency predicts that the number of seals will drop to less than 1,000 within the next three to four years, making it the world's most endangered mammal.(Photo: AP / Tony Cheng)

The Caribbean monk seal was first discovered in Christopher Columbus's second journey in 1494. This population once reached an individual figure of 250,000. But they quickly became the ideal target for hunter wings because they often have a habit of resting, breeding or raising children on the beach.

From the 1700s to 1900s, seals were mainly hunted to get grease for lubricating oil or covering the bottom of the ship. Seal skin is used as car lining, clothing, belt or handbag.

Endangered Hawaiian priests seals also face various risks, including undersea rubble, climate change or coastal development forms.

About 80 to 100 Hawaiian seals live on the main islands, while 1100 individuals are concentrated in uninhabited northwestern islands and a national marine museum.

Biologist Bud Antonelis said NOAA's Fisheries Service recently planned a quantitative restoration for Hawaiian monk seals.

'But we still need help from organizations and the public if we want to get a chance to save seals from extinction. Time is running out. '

For Caribbean monk seals, NOAA said it is proceeding to withdraw the name of the seal species from the list of threatened species. Species names will be removed from the list when their populations are no longer in danger or they are declared extinct.