Pupping season underway for endangered Hawaiian monk seals

Numbers of Hawaiian monk seals born in the main Hawaiian Islands are on the increase, and so, too, are the chances of the endangered marine mammals and their pups interacting with people.

The risk is even greater during “pupping season.”

“Monk seals give birth year-round, but March through August is when we see the majority of these adorable … pups make their debut,” said Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator Brian Neilson.

Three pups have already been born this year, adding to the 34 born in 2024.

Monk seal mothers nurse and care for their pups for 5 to 7 weeks after giving birth, before abruptly leaving their pups to fend for themselves and learn to forage on their own.

So it’s vital that pups get the nourishment they need to survive during that short initial time span with Mom before being weaned.

Nursing moms also can be very protective and aggressive toward anyone who gets too close during those first couple of months after giving birth, dramatically increasing the chances of someone getting hurt — especially when seals are born at highly visible, high-traffic, popular beaches.

It is important, too, that pups are not conditioned to human interaction, which can alter a young monk seal’s natural behavior and result in harmful outcomes for the pup and local community.

The state Land Department’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Division of Aquatic Resources along with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hawai‘i Marine Animal Rescue and various city and county agencies work together to protect seals and bring attention to potential problem locations where seal-human encounters can happen.

They offer the following best practices to help protect the endangered monk seal pups:

• Safely observe a mother and her pup behind all temporary fences and signs placed around them.
• Keep at least 150 feet away from monk seal mothers and pups at all times, especially when they are in the water.
• Keep dogs leashed any time you’re at the beach. You never know where a seal could be.
• Report all seal sightings to the statewide National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.

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

In an effort to minimize potential disturbances, specific locations of Hawaiian monk seal births are not publicized unless there’s a need to bring attention to a potential problem location where seal-human encounters are more likely.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support during these crucial nursing periods,” Neilson said. “Let’s admire from afar to keep everyone safe.”