Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release August 11, 2017

UPDATE ON HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL PUP ‘KAIMANA’

(Honolulu)  – For several hours this afternoon, ‘Rocky’ the mother of the Hawaiian monk seal pup ‘Kaimana’ has not been spotted at Kaimana Beach.  This may indicate that Rocky has weaned her pup, but it’s too soon to know for sure.  

The plan is still to relocate ‘Kaimana’ to an undisclosed location on O‘ahu, once scientists are sure she has been weaned.  This will likely happen within the next few days considering the average duration of Rocky’s previous nursing periods – today was the 43^rd day for Kaimana.  Her previous nursing period have ranged from 39 to 42 days.

DLNR and NOAA officials continue to ask for the public’s and media’s cooperation in respecting the safety perimeter around ‘Kaimana’ (and Rocky if she returns) and avoid going into the water when she is out swimming.  Additional updates will be issued.

 

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Media Contacts:

Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
Hawaii Dept. of Land & Natural Resources
Communications Office
(808) 587-0407