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Hawaiian monk seal that had CT scan suffering from infection

COURTESY NOAA

RH38 sleeps on a Kauai beach in 2017. She is one of only 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals alive in the wild.

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii >> A Hawaiian monk seal that underwent a CT scan in a human hospital is suffering from muscle inflammation and infection.

West Hawaii Today reported today that the scan performed April 21 at North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea discovered the 3-year-old female seal’s inflammation and infection in her back flippers spread to her bloodstream and caused a wide range of other problems.

The endangered mammal, identified as RH38, is one of only 1,400 alive in the wild.

Officials at the Marine Mammal Center say they suspect trauma as the initial cause of the injury based on the location and extent of the muscle damage, though the source is unknown.

The seal is currently receiving antibiotics, pain medications and laser therapy at the Big Island facility.

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