First Hawaiian monk seals of 2018 born on Lanai, Big Island

HONOLULU (AP) - The first two Hawaiian monk seals pups of 2018 have been born.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Tuesday that one seal was born on Lanai and the other on the Big Island.

Stacie Robinson, research ecologist for the National Association and Atmospheric Association’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, said the Lanai pup is a female, born Jan. 6. The Big Island seal is also a female, born Feb. 8.

Robinson said others could have been born on Niihau and elsewhere, but these two pups are the first to be documented and photographed.

Robinson said the pups appear to be healthy and doing well.

Robinson said the pup on Lanai recently weaned from its mother, while the pup on the Big Island is still nursing.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com