June 4th at 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, are off the north shore of Oahu. The newborn monk seal pup died from injuries due to a dog attack.
Federal wildlife officials said today that a postmortem examination confirms that a newborn monk seal pup born on the North Shore of Oahu died from injuries from a dog attack.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says pup PO7 suffered puncture wounds prior to death, consistent in size with dog bites. Additionally, authorities said the hemorrhage found on the puppy’s body was consistent with shaking caused by a dog attack.
Authorities also confirmed that the cub was a 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 up to become a monk seal matriarch – giving birth to generations of new seals – so the pup’s death is a huge loss to 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 calf duo on a North Shore beach on May 23.
NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the cub’s death. NOAA said one individual is cooperating with authorities, but no further details are available at this time.
NOAA said this is the third known death of a monk seal resulting from a dog attack on the main Hawaiian Islands.
Last year, puppy RS48, also known as Ho’omau Lehua, was just four months old when she was found dead in June on the North Shore of Oahu. Based on the necropsy results, NOAA determined that it was likely. In 2014, NOAA said monk seal pup RFX4 was killed after a dog attack on Kauai.
“We urge pet owners across the state to protect monk seals and other native wildlife by adhering to their counties’ 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 breastfeed and bond on Kaimana Beach under the supervision of volunteers and state conservation officers from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
It has been more than 30 days since the cub, initially known as PO5, was believed to have been born on May 1.
In Hawaii, leash laws are enforced by state, local and Humane Society officials. The public can report safety concerns due to off-leash dogs to the DLNR by calling 808-643-DLNR or through the DLNRTip app.
NOAA receives reports of monk seal sightings, injuries and strandings on its Marine Life Hotline at 888-256-9840.
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