Hawaiian authorities seek for males who attacked endangered seal

Cops in Hawaii are attempting to find two males accused of attacking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal after considered one of them allegedly hurled a rock at it on a well-liked Oahu seashore.

The alleged incident occurred Sunday afternoon at Diamond Head Seashore, the place witnesses advised officers they noticed the pair method the juvenile seal.

The Hawaii Division of Land and Pure Assets (DLNR) stated it has launched an investigation and is asking for the general public’s assist figuring out the suspects.

A close-by couple confronted the lads moments later and recorded the heated alternate on video, in response to Hawaii Information Now.

“They walked straight as much as the seal, after which considered one of them picked up a rock and threw it,” witness Ashley Schilling advised the outlet. “That’s once we stepped in as a result of we couldn’t simply stand there and watch it occur.”

The video, which has since gone viral throughout social media, exhibits the witnesses difficult the lads over their actions earlier than the pair walked away.

DLNR officers stated the monk seal didn’t seem to undergo severe accidents however the division condemned the incident, noting that Hawaiian monk seals are one of many world’s most endangered marine mammals.

Harassing, disturbing or harming Hawaiian monk seals is prohibited below each the federal Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Safety Act. Violators can face steep civil fines and doable legal penalties.

Officers haven’t launched descriptions of the 2 males however stated investigators are reviewing witness statements and video proof as they work to determine them.

The incident comes simply months after one other alleged assault on a Hawaiian monk seal sparked outrage throughout the islands.

In Might, a Seattle vacationer was accused of throwing a big rock at an endangered monk seal named Lani whereas she rested alongside the shoreline in Lahaina, Maui.

Witnesses stated the person picked up a rock “the dimensions of a coconut” and threw it towards the seal’s head, prompting an investigation by state and federal authorities.

On the time, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen denounced the alleged assault, saying, “Let me be clear, this isn’t the form of customer we welcome on Maui.

“We welcome respectful guests that perceive that our cultural setting and wildlife should be handled with care and aloha. Habits like this is not going to be tolerated.”

Anybody with info that might assist determine the 2 males concerned in Sunday’s incident is urged to contact the Hawaii Division of Land and Pure Assets’ Division of Conservation and Assets Enforcement.

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