FILE - A Hawaiian monk sea is pictured in a file image. (Photo by: Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) HONOLULU - A woman swimming at Honolulu’s Waikiki beach was injured this weekend after encountering a nursing Hawaiian monk seal with a young pup.The incident was reported Sunday morning near Kaimana Beach in Waikiki, officials said.
A 60-year-old elementary school teacher from California was swimming near the animals and caught the seals’ attention, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries department.The mother monk seal, known as "Rocky," began "vocalizing" at the swimmer, a method that’s believed to be a way of warning others to stay away and communicate with their pups. "Ultimately, (the mother monk seal) pursued the swimmer—a perceived threat to her pup—and the encounter resulted in the swimmer sustaining injuries," NOAA Fisheries said in a statement.The swimmer received lacerations to her face, arm, and back, the agency said.
State officials said they would not recommend charges or fines for the woman and are not naming her because she requested anonymity.Hawaii Marine Animal Response, a nonprofit conservation organization that helps monitor protected species, said their workers witnessed the incident.
The nonprofit added that the seal gave birth to a pup about two weeks ago in the same area where the swimmer was injured.NOAA and Hawaii Marine Animal Response have been watching the pair and warning people to stay away.