AnimalZone – Season 14, Episode 2: Rescuing Sea Life in Hawai'i

This week on AnimalZone, we dive into the deep blue waters off O‘ahu to meet the passionate team at Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response (HMAR), led by founder Jon Gelman. From graceful sea birds to majestic sea turtles and the rare Hawaiian monk seal—found nowhere else on Earth—HMAR is on a mission to protect Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable ocean residents. With fewer than 1,600 monk seals left in the islands (and just about 70 around O‘ahu), every rescue counts.

At HMAR’s field hospital, Clara Orr, Field Supervisor of Operations, walks us through the fascinating journey of marine animal recovery—from rescue to rehabilitation and, ultimately, release. You’ll discover how rescued turtles are marked for identification, allowing scuba divers and snorkelers to help track their health and travels. We even meet their current patient, “OA 188,” a resilient female sea turtle recovering from flipper injuries caused by fishing line entanglement.

Cameron Aroz, Operations Support Manager, reveals what it’s like to field over 10,000 calls a year—from urgent rescue alerts to curious beachgoers wondering about a napping seal. Along the way, AnimalZone Hawai‘i coordinator Sean Douglas Hoban shares a fitting Hawaiian phrase that perfectly captures the spirit of the episode.

Join us for an inspiring look at how compassion, science, and community come together to give Hawai‘i’s marine life a fighting chance.

For more information about HMAR visit: h-mar.org/