Warning for public with Hawaiian monk seal pupping season underway

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s officially Hawaiian monk seal pupping season and officials are warning the public to keep their distance.

The number of endangered monk seals born in the Hawaiian Islands is growing: 34 pups were born in 2024 and three have already been born this year, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

After giving birth, monk seal mothers nurse and take care of their pups for five to seven weeks. During this time, nursing moms can be very protective and may react aggressively to anyone who gets too close, officials said.

When seals are born at highly visible and popular beaches, the chances of someone getting hurt increase dramatically.

After nursing, mother seals abruptly leave their pups. As pups fend for themselves, it is important that they are not conditioned to human interaction, officials said.

“Monk seals give birth year-round, but March through August is when we see the majority of these adorable, and endangered, pups make their debut,” said Brian Neilson, administrator of the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources.

Officials said the public should:

• Give mothers with pups at least 150 feet of space on land and in the water.
• Keep dogs leashed any time you’re at the beach.
• Report all seal sightings to the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: 888-256-9840.

Hawaiian monk seals are native to Hawaii and are protected by state and federal laws.

If you see temporary fences and signs erected around a mom and her pup, you can safely observe them behind them.

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