NOAA offers up to $20K for information on Molokai monk seal death

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering up to $20,000 to anyone with information about a Hawaiian monk seal death on Molokai.

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On Thursday, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement said they were investigating the recent monk seal death, RU68, which appears to stem from human causes.

The administration said a necropsy, an animal autopsy, found preliminary evidence suggesting the monk seal died from blunt force trauma to the head between Aug. 17 and 18.

The monk seal’s death is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Violations can be prosecuted civilly or criminally and are punishbal by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail per violation.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964.

Officials said tips can be left anonymously, but to be eligible for the reward, a name and contact information are required. All names and contact information are confidential and will not be released to the public.

NOAA said it is looking for:

Any dead, stranded or injured marine animals can be reported to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.

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