LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) - Authorities are investigating what they have described as a suspicious death of a 15-year-old endangered monk seal on Kauai.
Hawaii officials say the seal had injuries that were not consistent with any natural causes of death commonly found with monk seals. A necropsy will be conducted.
The female seal was found dead Feb. 23 on a Kauai beach near Hanapepe. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesman Jeff Walters said the seal, known as R4DP, had been in good health prior to her death.
According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, R4DP was among about 1,400 of the endangered Hawaii native species left in the wild. She was the 11th monk seal found dead under suspicious circumstances since 2009 but the first since 2014.
DLNR enforcement officials said they can’t comment further on R4DP’s death because it’s an open investigation.
Hawaiian monk seals are protected under federal and state law. Violations carry penalties of up to $50,000 in fines, a year in prison, or both, according to the DLNR.
DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case said in a news release that it was “beyond comprehension that anyone could even consider beating or killing one of these rare mammals, as they’re resting or sleeping on a beach.”
Researchers tagged R4DP in 2008 after she was treated for an ingested fish hook. The seal was later released on Kauai.
Anyone with information about the seal’s death is asked to call NOAA or the DLNR.
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