Featured Image Credit: Star Advertiser
By Sarah Sharkey
Rocky the monk seal was spotted off of Kaimana Beach, wailing loudly for her missing pup. This was not the first time Rocky’s pup got away from her. A similar incident happened not too long ago. The pup disappeared to the same place, the Waikiki Natatorium. This was the same monk seal mama who gave birth to this same pup, Kaimana, on a popular Hawaiian beach early in July.
According to the marine mammal response coordinator, David Schofield, “Pup was pacing on the inside, mom was pacing on the outside. (There were) a lot of vocalizations. The mom was pretty frantic moving up and down this wall right here.”
NOAA officials reported that the mother and pup were separated for about two hours. Eventually Rocky found a way into the Natatorium. Later, the mom and pup were able to get back out onto Kaimana Beach and rest from their ordeal together.
So how was this traumatic incident able to happen twice? The city officials explained that although this is a potential danger to the seals and even beachgoers, there is nothing they can do about it. The Natatorium is not in great condition, which means there are little holes that the seal can swim in through. However, the city does not have the appropriate permits they would need to fix it. The permit would need to come from the Army Corps of Engineers and city cannot do anything until they get the go ahead.
Hopefully the permits come through soon so that moms and pups can stay together.
Learn more from our source.