NOAA: Autopsy confirms dog attack on monk seal pup

An autopsy confirmed that a monk seal pup born on the north shore of Oahu died as a result of a dog attack, officials with the Federal Agency for Wildlife Protection announced today.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that before his death, pup PO7 suffered puncture wounds consistent in size with dog bites. In addition, officials said that bleeding noted in the pup’s body was consistent with tremors resulting from a dog attack.

Officials also confirmed that the cub was a female, making the loss even more devastating for the endangered species.

“Female seals are critical to the recovery of this endangered species,” NOAA Fisheries said in a statement. “PO7 could have grown into a monk seal matriarch – and given birth to generations of new seals – so the death of the pup is a serious loss to the population and conservation efforts.”

The pup, PO7, was born to a well-known Hawaiian monk seal named Luana. Volunteers first spotted the mother-child pair on a North Shore beach on May 23.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the puppy’s death. NOAA said an individual is cooperating with law enforcement, but no further details are available at this time.

According to NOAA, this is the third known death of a monk seal as a result of a dog attack on the main islands of Hawaii.

Last year, pup RS48, also known as Ho’omau Lehua, was barely four months old when it was found dead on the North Shore of Oahu in June. Based on necropsy results, NOAA concluded it likely died from a dog attack. In 2014, NOAA stated that monk seal pup RFX4 was killed after a dog attack on Kauai.

“We ask pet owners across the state to protect monk seals and other native wildlife by complying with their county’s leash laws,” NOAA said in a statement. “Even a well-trained dog could react unpredictably when encountering a wild seal.”

Meanwhile, monk seal pup Kaiwi and her pup Pa’aki continue to nurse at Kaimana Beach and maintain their friendship under the supervision of volunteers and conservation officers from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

More than 30 days have passed since the puppy, initially named PO5, was believed to have been born on May 1st.

In Hawaii, leash laws are enforced by state, county and animal control agencies. The public can report safety concerns caused by loose dogs to the DLNR at 808-643-DLNR or through the DLNRTip app.

NOAA accepts reports of monk seal sightings, injuries, and strandings through its Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.