May 25 – 1/1
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COURTESY OF HAWAII MARINE ANIMAL RESPONSE
Hawaiian monk seal RN58 (Luana) and her newborn pup, PO7, on the north shore of Oahu.
Federal wildlife officials today reported the death of a newborn monk seal pup on Oahu’s North Shore due to an alleged dog attack.
The pup, identified as PO7, was born to a monk seal known as Luana, or RN58, on the North Coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Volunteers saw the mother-and-pup couple for the first time Thursday.
NOAA Fisheries said the death was reported as a dog attack that occurred Thursday evening, but is conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause.
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident but said no further details are available at this time.
Officials remind the public that peak breeding season for Hawaiian monk seal pups runs from March through August.
“To give these pups the best chance of survival, it is important to give mothers with pups at least 50 meters of space and to keep dogs on a leash when on the beach,” NOAA said in a news release.
The deceased puppy was the seventh puppy born on Oahu this year.
Kaiwi’s pup, formerly known as PO5, was the fifth pup born on Oahu, most recently by students at Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School. Officials have cordoned off most of Kaimana Beach to protect the monk seal mother and pup and the public.
Hawaiian monk seals are one of the most endangered seal species in the world, with an estimated 1,600 individuals left in the wild, according to NOAA. NOAA says each pup represents the hope for the recovery of the species. They are protected by federal and state laws.
Report monk seal sightings, injuries and strandings to NOAA’s Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.
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