Monk seal pup visits Natatorium for second time
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kaimana and her mother Rocky swam around the Waikiki Natatorium. The pup left her mom behind on the sand at Kaimana Beach, just before 11 a.m. today, swimming to the Natatorium.
The month-old Hawaiian monk seal pup called “Kaimana” and her mom, “Rocky,” swam in the big pool at the Waikiki Natatorium today.
The pup left her mom behind on the sand at Kaimana Beach, just before 11 a.m. today, swimming to the Natatorium.
Rocky called out to her pup, making distress calls when she left. The mom then swam out to the nearby war memorial, arriving at about 11:35 a.m., city officials said.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official said the mom was initially outside the Natatorium stress-vocalizing and swimming rapidly, but later calmed down.
They both swam in the big pool. And mom swam back out at 1:35 p.m. and they were both back on the beach before 2 p.m.
The city lifeguards, using megaphones, cleared swimmers out of the water to ensure the safety of the public and the seals.
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City Department of Design and Construction workers guided NOAA personnel into the dilapidated Natatorium.
It was the second time that Kaimana visited the Natatorium in less than a week. On Friday, NOAA officials rescued Kaimana and placed her safely back on the beach while her agitated mother swam outside the Natatorium walls.
NOAA officials say they expect Rocky will wean her pup shortly and leave Kaimana by Tuesday, when Kaimana turns 40 days old.
But for now, she’s supposed to stay with mom.
