Exotic Animal Newsflash:
Firstly, I always hate bringing you this type of news, but it is so essential to know what is going on…IT IS REAL!
The Caribbean Monk Seal, also known as the West Indian Monk Seal, was announced extinct officially on Friday, June 6th, 2008.
Photo left: Caribbean Monk Seal – Click photo for larger view.
This seal is the only species ever known to be native to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
Now extinct due to human activities, namely over-hunting, this seal has not been spotted for the past 5 years, even with an effort to try and save this species…It was just too late!
Now, we must watch a chain of events of likely extinctions of other animals in the area, as they are intimately intertwined together. Their diet consisted of octopus, reef fish and lobsters.
Measuring in as a small seal between 6-9 feet long, males could have weigh up to 200 kg, and the females of this species were smaller. The average lifespan of a Caribbean Monk Seal was about 20 yrs.
The last 2 sightings of the seal were in 1932 off the coast of Texas, and 1952 at Serranilla Bank.
How much more sad could this be?
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Pinnipedia
Family: Phocidae
Genus: Monachus
Species: M. tropicalis
Conservation Status: EXTINCT!
In my opinion, we, as humans, can be the most disgusting species on the planet…
***
Have you ever seen a Caribbean Monk Seal? If so, let us know about your experience by Commenting in the Comment Box Below!
I hope we all learn something very valuable from these Extinct Animal posts…Until next time…
Live Exotically,
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S.
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It is so sad to watch helplessly as natures creatures fade away because of senseless slaughter by people whose only aim is to profit regardless of outcome. The Japanese and Chinese being the worlds major funder of rare species hunting. Blinding greed and ignorance are typical reasons. Our fragile planet has also put humans as a species on that list upon several occasions by being on the brink of world war in the nuclear age. It seems every generation is dumbed down a little more.
Makes me sad. Good hunters would never do this. Good hunters are great conservationists.
&%#* You “Guy McD” There’s no such thing as a “Good Hunter”. You’re a terrible person.
It hasn’t been spotted since the 50′s, but why does this article say it hasn’t been seen in 5 years also. I think the 50′s were a tad longer ago than 5 years.
Hi friend….
Nice blog and layout….
Interesting and knowledgeable posts on ur blog…
Keep going..
Thnx, Neeraj
http://keithalwazchill.blogspot.com
Well, Empress Geek, it is because they have made official concerted efforts to search for this species of seal, and for the past 5 years, during those expeditions, it has not been spotted.
Therefore, this was the criteria they used to say that the species is officially extinct.
Good question though!
Kimberly Edwards
My stumble friend, pantherviolet, says:
“We don’t need to hunt I am all for preserving them and protecting them.”
slantera, says:
“Too bad those hunters can’t go extinct. instead… >:(”
NedReck says:
“Ignorance, greed and sheer stupidity make this happen…”
Whatever175 says:
“It’s a shame………………….”
My stumble friend, 4HisGlory, says:
“This is terrible!!!”
Stariuss says:
“meh, nothing we can do…”
RavenRock:
“It’s gonna get much worse than this!!!”
My good stumble friend, arabbitwhisperer, says:
“Sadness … … … To the extreme … … …
”
This is so very sorrowful!
Kimberly Edwards
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My good stumble friend, TimberWolfGirl, says:
“Brutal sad!!!!!”
Absolutely awful…I agree! Very sad!
Kimberly Edwards
P.S. Add me as a friend on Stumble Upon:
http://pieofangel17.stumbleupon.com
Stumbler, Stariuss, says:
“Ya…but theres nothing we can do, even if we had no pollution etc they would have died to poachers…”
Regulations that are actually enforced is a start…and people who care that speak up for what they think…against poaching and illegal animal trade. People who can create great solutions to the problems these animals face…that’s what we need…That’s what we can do…our very best to ensure other species aren’t subject to this same extinction!
Kimberly Edwards
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These “INSOLENT PEOPLE” who Destroy the Good Work’s of the Living God – “ESPECIALLY His PET’S” Just for the sake of their Selfish Pleasure’s. They ARE going to be in for a Really Rude AWAKENING… HA ha… We Still WIN…
)
Cause, Some Glad Morning, when this Life is Over. I’ll Fly Away ! ! !
The Bear… Old Cow Hand… And Yes I AM, from the Rio Grande.
My stumble friend, kelliannie, says:
“This is sad. I feel so bad that everything we touch seems to harm rather than protect.”
This certainly seems to be the case, doesn’t it?
Kimberly Edwards
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My good stumble friend, mumba, adds:
“A sad reflection on mankinds’ eagerness to use animals as a source for goods we could so easily do without. It is happening now with tiger parts,whales and rhino horns etc. While people can make money out of it, it will happen!!”
I completely agree! You couldn’t be more correct mumba!
Kimberly Edwards
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