The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has announced the birth of a wild Hawaiian monk seal on Oahu’s Kaimana Beach. The DLNR also shared precious footage of the newborn baby and its mother on the beach, reminding people to stay away from the area for up to seven weeks while the pup nurses and grows stronger.
Videos by Outdoors
“A Hawaiian monk seal pup was born at sunset, Sunday, May 3, on Kaimana Beach, to the 15-year-old female Kaiwi (RK96), who is known to visit O‘ahu’s south shore,” wrote the DLNR in its Instagram post. “Officials are reminding the public that maintaining a respectful distance is the most important thing they can do to protect both our community and this endangered species.”
[RELATED: Four Men Prepare to Row From Washington State to Hawaii]
Hawaiian monk seals are a protected species under Hawaii state law, as well as under the federal Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Therefore, it is illegal to disturb, harass, feed, or harm a monk seal.
Watch a baby Hawaiian monk seal and its mama below (or see it here).
Header stock image by Anastasia Babenko/Getty Images
