HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaiian monk seal pup born on Kaimana Beach has been successfully relocated to a quieter shoreline, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries said.
‘Ānela ‘Auinalā, also known as RV96, born in May, was officially weaned from her mother Kaiwi on Tuesday.
The pup was then relocated on Friday to an undisclosed beach by NOAA Fisheries, Hawaii Marine Animal Response and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The city Department of Parks and Recreation reopened all of Kaimana Beach on Thursday.
When ‘Ānela first arrived at the undisclosed beach, NOAA said she took a few moments to get oriented before heading straight into the water to explore the new cove.
U-turn ahead! Once NOAA Fisheries and partners opened the carrier doors, RV96 turned around and eventually made her way down the beach towards the water.(NOAA Fisheries (Permit #24359))
NOAA said they also gave the pup a brief health check, a preventative vaccination and official flipper ID tags. A temporary satellite tag was attached to help track her movements and development over the coming months.
She was named by Hawaii Marine Animal Rescue’s community naming effort with Waikiki Elementary.
Officials said Kaimana Beach is one of the busiest beaches on Oahu, and regular interaction with large crowds can be risky and even life-threatening for a newly weaned, impressionable seal.
The quieter beach will help ‘Ānela learn normal, wild behaviors that a young seal needs to survive, away from large crowds.
NOAA added that while Kaiwi may return to Kaimana Beach in the future, both seals are now independent.
If a monk seal is seen on a beach, the public is asked to give them at least 50 feet (15 meters) of space, or 150 feet if a seal pup is present with their mother.
Seal and other marine sightings and injuries can be reported to NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.
View more photos from NOAA here:
Additional resources to help monk seals can be found here:
Reporting all seal sightings, or injured or dead seals, to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840Following marine wildlife viewing guidelinesFishing responsibly around monk sealsReporting marine wildlife harassmentHawaiian monk seal pup born at Kaimana Beach; public urged to keep distanceMonk seal pup born at Waikiki beach to be relocated
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