NOAA investigate death of adult female monk seal found in West Oahu

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Another Hawaiian monk seal has been found dead on Oahu.

NOAA Fisheries confirmed the death of adult female monk seal RL70, whose carcass was found on a West Oahu beach.

The seal was discovered with rocks covering its body.

NOAA said the cause of death is unknown. Samples were collected for analysis and could provide more information about what happened.

RL70’s death marks the fifth confirmed Hawaiian monk seal death on Oahu this year.

Anyone who finds an injured, entangled or dead Hawaiian monk seal is asked to call the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.