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Hawaiian Island to Evict Over-Friendly Seal

Scientists fear monk seal pup raised by people will harm his human playmates

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 15, 2009 4:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – A seal pup that loves human company is facing deportation to hundreds of miles away from his Hawaiian home, the Wall Street Journal reports. Baby monk seal KP2, who often swims with people and even climbs on boogie boards, has become a much-loved local celebrity on Molokai since he showed up in February but wildlife experts warn that as he grows bigger, he may end up accidentally killing somebody by playing too rough and holding them underwater.

The problem, experts say, is that KP2, who was hand-reared by humans after being rejected by his mother, doesn't seem to realize that he's a seal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to move him around 200 miles away, although he soon found his way back to Molokai after an earlier effort to remove him, and many want him to stay. "If they take him away one more time and he comes back, I don't think this community will let NOAA take him again," says the head of a local center that teaches children about Hawaii's ecology.

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[Videos (1)]

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Adult monk seals can weigh up to 300 pounds. (©flickkerphotos)

A Hawaiian monk seal lies on a beach on Molokai. (ACEschborn)

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KP2 swimms with a dog at the wharf on Molokai. (EricDemmers)

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We've had experiences before where a 300-pound animal is just looking to play and then starts holding people underwater for too long.
- Wende Goo, a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 10 comments

Guest

Sep 18, 2009 12:16 AM CDT

Furthermore, I think the wildlife biologists have made it pretty clear that the seal may be harmless now, but won't be in the future. That adorable little thing is going to grow up to be like 400 lbs, and could easily kill someone by accident. I have no idea why you tried to use a story about a seal having trouble to make vaguely racist implications about Hawaiians. Who, it should be noted, support leaving the seal where he is while NOAA requests he be removed.

Guest

Sep 17, 2009 3:49 AM CDT

I'm totally jumping on this band-wagon. Save the seal imprison the Saget....has a certain ring to it right?

prowlerzee

Sep 15, 2009 10:51 PM CDT

What the hell have the homeless to do with this story?

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wildlife • NOAA • Hawaii • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • seal

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Hawaiian Island to Evict Over-Friendly Seal