Monk Seal Gives Birth to Newborn Pup in Waikiki

A Hawaiian monk seal and her newborn pup are getting some extra attention as the baby seal is weaned over the next 5 to 7 weeks at Kaimana Beach in Waikiki on Oʻahu.

Volunteers from the Hawaiʻi Marine Mammals Alliance group have set up a safety perimeter to keep viewers at a safe distance and avoid disturbing the pair.

State officials advise that mother seals may charge those that get too close on the beach or in the water if they are viewed as a threat.

Representatives with the NOAA Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Program say this is the 10th pup for RH58 also known as “Rocky,” but her first to be born on Oʻahu. The other nine were born on Kauaʻi.

There are currently around 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild, and all are protected under both the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act and by state law.

Some time overnight on June 27-28, the female monk seal gave birth to the seal pup at the far Diamond Head end of Kaimana Beach.  State officials say she had been seen frequenting that area in recent days.

According to Angela Amlin, NOAA Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Program Coordinator said, “Our first concern is for human safety. People should stay behind the ropes on the beach and avoid swimming near the seals. It’s also important not to attempt to approach or interact with the seals, or try to feed them, which could habituate them to human contact and could lead to future problems.”

Kristen Kelly, DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources Marine Wildlife program assistant, said, “It is a really exciting event to have a pup born in such a popular and highly traveled area. It is also a concern for us here at DLNR. It is important to respect these animals especially a mother seal giving protective care to her pup. It is very important to give the pair space and respect in this vulnerable time. Take care to remain behind the barriers and head more to the ‘ewa side of the beach to enter and exit the water while the pair is here. Take special care in the water near the mother seal — there have been several instances of mothers protecting their pups from a perceived threat in the water, and attacking even if their baby is on shore. We advise staying out of the water on that side of the beach until the pair leaves. Try to remain at least 150 feet away in the water.”

She further stated, “We want people to enjoy viewing these special animals but please watch from a respectful distance! When observing these highly endangered species let’s do the right thing: take care and respect the seals, avoid sudden noise or any disturbance that could cause the mom to leave unexpectedly before she should. She needs to stay with the pup until it is ready to go out on its own. We also don’t want these wild animals to become conditioned to humans being nearby or trying to feed them. Please allow a respectful distance from seals so their pups can grow up naturally.”

VIEWING TIPS:

• Please stay behind any ropes or fencing and follow instructions from personnel stationed on the beach.
• Enjoy seeing and photographing these magnificent creatures from outside the safety perimeter, clearly marked by signs and ropes.
• Hawaiian monk seals, even pups, are large powerful animals and can bite if they feel threatened. Keep a safe distance away.
• Anyone who witnesses someone harassing or harming the seals may make a report to the DLNR Enforcement line at 643-DLNR (643-3567) or the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964.
• In addition, harassing these mammals is against both federal and state law. So please do your part to help our Hawaiian monk seals thrive and survive.

It’s becoming more common for monk seals to haul out on beaches popular with people. After a mother seal and her pup showed up just before Memorial Day 2017 on Mokulua North (Moku Nui) offshore islet, Kailua kayak rental companies began showing a DLNR-produced safety video to customers. (*See video below)

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Monk seal mother and her pup at Kaimana beach in Waikiki. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.