Hawaiian monk seal is OK after removal of spear’s barb

Authorities in Hawaii are investigating the spearing of a Hawaiian monk seal found Tuesday afternoon on Rabbit Island.

The 1-year-old female seal known as RL12 was found with the barb of a three-pronged spear lodged in her head, William Aila, chairman of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, said at a news conference Wednesday.

Officials removed the barb and the seal survived.

Aila said his department and federal officials are investigating whether the spearing was intentional or accidental.

Intentionally harassing, harming or killing a Hawaiian monk seal is punishable by five years in prison and a fine of $50,000, officials said. The Hawaiian monk seal is an endangered species.

David Schofield, an official with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the wounds were apparently superficial and that the seal swam away after officials helped dislodge the barb.

"The seal was very lucky in that it missed the important things like the eyes and the ears and the nose," Schofield said.

Schofield said the shaft of the spear was found on the ground about 30 feet from the seal.

The seal, weighing about 175 to 200 pounds, was born on Rabbit Island and is known to frequent areas such as Hanauma Bay.

Officials said the number of Hawaiian monk seals totals only about 1,000 to 1,100, including 150 to 200 found in the main Hawaiian Islands.

From November 2011 though April 2012, federal and state officials received reports of four monk seal deaths under suspicious circumstances — two each on Kauai and Molokai.

Those with information about the spearing incident, or who see a Hawaiian monk seal in distress, or witness a Hawaiian monk seal being harassed, harmed, or killed, may call the federal enforcement hotline at 800-853-1964.