Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Pup Born in Coasts of Hawaii, Area Closed for Few Days

Hawaii's coasts are temporarily closed while an endangered Hawaiian monk seal gives birth to a pup.

The birth of an endangered seal pup at one of Hawaii's busiest tourist destinations has drawn attention to the conflict between preserving the islands' delicate ecosystems and allowing access to the pristine white-sand beaches, which draw in millions of tourists every year.

Closed Hawaii Coasts

To safeguard the Hawaiian monk seal named Kaiwi and her young pup, Hawaii officials fenced off a sizable portion of a well-known Waikiki neighborhood this week.

Visitors and locals alike enjoy swimming and tanning at Kaimana Beach, which is close to a modest hotel.

Monk seals have given birth there on occasion since six years ago, causing tension between the mothers of the newborn seals and beachgoers.

After a California visitor, 60, got too close when a mother monk seal had just given birth to its pup last year and was pulled underwater by the mother, who caused cuts to appear on his face, arms, and back, authorities are being extra cautious this spring.

Previously, when pups were born, officials cordoned off a portion of Kaimana Beach; however, this spring, the protected area is much larger.

Officials from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will use personal watercraft when the seals are in the water to keep onlookers outside of a 50-yard safety zone.

Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Pup

Two years ago, Kaiwi had another puppy at Kaimana. On April 14, she gave birth once more, and researchers anticipate that she will remain at Kaimana with her pup for about 5 to 7 weeks while the offspring nurses, according to USA Today.

During this time, monk seal mothers guard their young. Authorities advise swimmers to frequent one of Oahu's numerous alternative shorelines up until the pup weans.

The pup will benefit from keeping humans and seals apart as it begins to explore the ocean and learn how to swim so that it can eventually go in search of food.

Biologists are concerned that the newborn's ability to survive in the wild will be harmed by growing too accustomed to humans at this impressionable age.

After the young seals were weaned and their mother left, NOAA officials relocated them in previous years.

They were taken to isolated areas of Oahu by biologists and veterinarians so they could develop alongside other wild monk seals with very little human contact.

Waikiki, Hawaii

According to NOAA Fisheries, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the State of Hawaii law, all protect Hawaiian monk seals.

Four Hawaiian monk seal births have taken place at Kaimana Beach since 2017, the first being a mother named Rocky, who became the first monk seal to give birth on Waikiki shores since NOAA started keeping track in the 1970s.

Fewer than 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals are still in the wild, and disturbing them is illegal.

Hotels and villas with white-sand beaches can be found along a mile-long stretch in Waikiki.

With 10 million tourists visiting each year, it is Hawaii's main tourism hub.

Waikiki and Honolulu are located on the island of Oahu, which welcomed 4.9 million tourists in 2017.

Additionally, Hawaii has more species that are in danger of extinction than any other US state, including rare forest birds, snails, and plants, AP News reported.