Toxoplasmosis killed three critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals that were found dead in a three-day period last month on Oahu, federal scientists confirmed Monday.

Veterinarians with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have determined that the parasitic disease, which is only spread through cat feces, has been the primary cause of death for at least 11 monk seals since 2001.

There are only about 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild and just 300 of those live in and around the eight main Hawaiian Islands.

Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

Michelle Barbieri, NOAA Fisheries veterinarian and acting lead scientist of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, told reporters at a press conference Monday in Honolulu that toxoplasmosis is the leading non-natural cause of mortality for the seals.

It outpaces deaths caused by interactions with fishing gear and humans who occasionally kill the seals intentionally, as happened again on Molokai on May 31. Law enforcement are still investigating that incident.

“We have great concern for the population impacts,” Barbieri said.

The scientists are particularly concerned about toxoplasmosis disproportionately killing female seals, which threatens the ability of the population to recover.

Angela Amlin, NOAA’s Hawaiian monk seal recovery program coordinator, said eight of the 11 seals that died from toxoplasmosis were female. The death totals do not include seals that had toxoplasmosis but died from other causes.

The last three were found dead May 15-17 in Kahuku, Laie and Kaneohe Bay. Two were adult females and one was an unborn female pup.

Wet Spring May Have Exacerbated Problem

An abnormally wet spring was the only theory scientists floated at the press conference to explain the recent spike in seal deaths by toxoplasmosis.

There are possibly hundreds of thousands of feral and free-roaming cats on Oahu alone, according to scientists and past surveys.

Many of these cats have toxoplasmosis, which they shed through their feces. The parasite reproduces in cats’ digestive systems.

Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat

One cat can excrete 145 billion eggs per year, which survive in the environment long after the feces decomposes, according to the federal scientists and state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

With the cats living everywhere from the coast to deep in valleys and high in mountains, scientists said heavy rains could be flushing more of the disease-laden eggs into the ocean where seals and other species can contract it. At least two Hawaiian spinner dolphins have died from toxoplasmosis, along with an untold number of endemic nene geese and endangered alala, Hawaiian crows.

“The only thing certain about toxoplasmosis is that there are far more cases in humans and more deaths in seals, dolphins, native birds and other animals today than are recognized and reported,” state Health Director Bruce Anderson said in a press release Monday.

“Since cats are the only animal that transmit the disease, it only makes sense that reducing the number of feral cats will reduce the risk of infection and serious illness or death,” he said.

“This is something that people can do something about.” — Angela Amlin, NOAA Fisheries

As Amlin put it, “This is something that people can do something about.”

While polls have shown broad public support for removing the feral cats from the islands, some animal-rights groups have stymied efforts to cull the population.

The Hawaiian Humane Society favors an approach called “trap, neuter, release and manage.” The nonprofit touts it as a compassionate way to maintain colonies in safe environments while limiting the spread of the disease and proliferation of feral cats.

“As an animal welfare organization the Hawaiian Humane Society is concerned about all animals,” Suzy Tam, a spokeswoman for the organization said in a statement. “We support humane efforts to reduce negative impacts on any species.”

But state and federal scientists, as well as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, fault the program and have said it does not do nearly enough to protect endangered species and native wildlife.

Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

“With only an estimated 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals still in existence, we simply cannot afford to lose even one of these critically endangered mammals to a disease that is preventable,” DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said in a statement Monday. “We hope people will provide as much love to our few very special seals as they do to the hundreds of thousands of feral cats around our islands.”

The Legislature almost passed a resolution last session that would have made “trap, neuter, release” the official state policy on how to handle the massive feral cat problem in Hawaii. The bill also would have protected self-appointed cat colony caretakers. The Senate killed the measure in April after it cleared the House with strong support from the Humane Society.

The federal scientists and state officials urged the public to not feed feral cats.

“Feeding cats at state parks, boat harbors and other coastal areas increases the risk of transmission because the cysts don’t need to travel very far to get into the ocean,” Case said. “Frankly, feeding cats anywhere where their feces can ultimately wash into the ocean is a problem.”

State officials also warned the public about the health risks to humans, particularly pregnant women and their unborn children.

“During pregnancy, infection by the toxoplasmosis parasite can damage the unborn child, causing miscarriages, stillbirth, or substantial birth defects including enlargement or smallness of the head,” Anderson said.

Thoughts on this or any other story? Write a Letter to the Editor. Send to news@civilbeat.org and put Letter in the subject line. 200 words max. You need to use your name and city and include a contact phone for verification purposes. And you can still comment on stories on our Facebook page.