Monk seal death probed

By AUDREY McAVOY

Associated Press

HONOLULU — Federal and state authorities are investigating the latest suspicious death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — this time on Kauai.

The 2- to 3-year-old male was found on the northeastern coast of the island, said Jeff Walters, the Hawaiian monk seal recovery coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A necropsy indicated the seal died under suspicious circumstances, Walters said. Authorities believe foul play was involved. Walters declined to disclose further details so the investigation wouldn’t be compromised.

The news follows the death of three monk seals on Molokai in recent weeks. Two died under suspicious circumstances. Officials don’t know what killed the third seal, but they are investigating.

“This was not how I hoped the New Year would start,” William Aila, the head of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said in a statement. “Monk seals are a vital part of Hawaii’s marine ecosystems. The intentional killing of any monk seal is not only illegal, it is inexcusable environmentally and culturally.”

Hawaiian monk seals are found only in the Hawaiian Islands and are critically endangered. There are only about 1,100 remaining and the population is declining 4 percent per year. Scientists predict the species could disappear in 50 to 100 years at this rate.

It’s a federal and state crime to kill or harm one of the animals. In 2010, the state increased the penalties for hurting one of the mammals, making it a felony, after three of them were found killed on Kauai and Molokai.

Under the revised state law, those found guilty face up to $50,000 in fines and five years in prison.

NOAA is asking anyone with information on the deaths to call the agency’s office of law enforcement at 1-800-853-1964.