The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is asking the public to steer clear of a Hawaiian monk seal pup that has been frequenting Oahu’s South Shore.

Officials say the 8-month-old female seal has recently been spotted at Keehi, Kewalo, Honolulu and Ala Wai harbors interacting with boaters. In the next week, harbor masters plan to post notices and pass out fliers to remind the public to not approach, interact with or feed monk seals.

Harassment of a monk seal, an endangered species, is a Class C felony. Violators can face up to a $50,000 fine and up to five years in jail.

The pup, identified as N36/N37 by her red flipper tags, was born in May on the reef runway beach outside Keehi Lagoon. Officials received reports of the public feeding the pup — named U’ilani by the community — at the Ala Wai Harbor about two weeks ago.

Human interaction with seals, such as feeding the mammals, can alter their behavior, lessening their chances of survival in the wild.

"They are wild animals. We need to keep them as wild animals," DLNR Chairman William Aila Jr. said at a news briefing Friday.

The public is encouraged to stay at least 150 feet away from seals and refrain from seeking the animals’ attention with eye contact, noises or movements.

"The health and viability of the species is really in the hands of the people of Hawaii," Aila said. "We have a lot of people on Oahu. More monk seals are going to be born here, and we need for this relationship to be one of mutual respect."

There are about 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals. Most of the seals live at the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and about 200 are in the main Hawaiian Islands. Officials predict that in about two decades the population in waters edging the state’s islands could increase to 500. Young pups, especially females, are vital to the recovery of the endangered species, Aila said.

David Schofield, regional marine mammal health and response program manager of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service, said some seals with behavior issues are relocated to remote areas. However, he added, moving seals is not considered a sound management strategy.

"Our experience is they’ll just swim around and find more people," he said. "We’ve got to manage them where they are."

In October a team relocated a 6-month-old monk seal that bit two swimmers in Hawaii island’s Kamakahonu Bay. The swimmers were treated for minor injuries. Officials believe the pup was trying to play.