June 4 – 1/1
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COURTESY OF HAWAII MARINE ANIMAL RESPONSE
Hawaiian monk seal RN58, also known as Luana, and her newborn pup, PO7, hang out on Oahu’s north shore. The newborn monk seal pup died from injuries sustained in a dog attack.
Federal wildlife officials said today that a post-mortem examination confirms that a newborn monk seal pup born on Oahu’s North Shore died from injuries sustained in a dog attack.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says pup PO7 suffered from puncture wounds comparable in size to dog bites before his death. In addition, officials said bleeding in the pup’s body was consistent with tremors from a dog attack.
Officials also confirmed that the pup was female, making the loss even more devastating for the endangered species.
“Female seals are critical to the recovery of this endangered species,” NOAA Fisheries said in a statement. “PO7 could have grown into a monk seal matriarch – producing generations of new seals – so the pup’s death is a heavy loss for the population and conservation efforts.”
Pup PO7 was born to a well-known Hawaiian monk seal, identified as Luana. Volunteers first spotted the mother-and-pup pair on a North Shore beach on May 23.
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the puppy’s death. NOAA said an individual is working with law enforcement officials, but no further details are available at this time.
NOAA said this is the third known death of a monk seal due to a dog attack in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Last year, pup RS48, also known as Ho’omau Lehua, was just four months old when she was found dead on Oahu’s north shore in June. Based on the necropsy results, NOAA determined that they were likely . In 2014, NOAA said monk seal pup RFX4 was killed after a dog attack on Kauai.
“We are asking pet owners statewide to protect monk seals and other native wildlife by adhering to their county’s leash laws,” NOAA said in a statement. “Even a well-trained dog can react unpredictably when encountering a wild seal.”
Meanwhile, monk seal pup Kaiwi and her pup, Pa’aki, continue to nurse and bond at Kaimana Beach under the supervision of volunteers and conservation officers from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
It’s been more than 30 days since the puppy, initially known as PO5, was born on May 1.
In Hawaii, leash laws are enforced by state, county and Humane Society officials. The public can report safety concerns due to loose dogs to DLNR at 808-643-DLNR or through the DLNRTip app.
NOAA welcomes reports of monk seal sightings, injuries and strandings through its Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.
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