HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Hawaiian monk seal Luana - RN58 - and her pup - PO7 - were first spotted in North Shore Thursday, May 23.
Many reveled at the news of a new pup due to the endangered classification the monk seals are currently under.
However, by Friday May 24, the pronouncement of PO7's body was made after what was reported to be an alleged dog attack that killed the pup.
NOAA Fisheries confirmed via an autopsy that the pup's body had suffered injuries consistent with a dog attack and it ultimately resulted in it's death.
They also were able to identify the pup as a female, making the loss even greater due to the pup possibly being able to have contributed to future birthing generation.
This is the third known death of a monk seal due to a dog attack.
In 2014, pup RFX4 was killed on Kauai, and in 2023, pup RS48 (Hoʻomau Lehua) was killed on Oʻahu.
NOAA Fisheries is asking pet owners to protect monk seals and other native wildlife by adhering to their county’s leash laws.
The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the pup’s death, and an individual is cooperating with law enforcement officials. No further details are available at this time.