HONOLULU (AP) — An endangered Hawaiian monk seal was transported from Kauai to Oahu after the animal swallowed a fish hook.
HONOLULU (AP) — An endangered Hawaiian monk seal was transported from Kauai to Oahu after the animal swallowed a fish hook.
The Coast Guard said Wednesday crews working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration used an HC-130 Hercules airplane to move the injured seal to Oahu for medical treatment.
The seal was flown to Oahu on Tuesday.
Eric Roberts is the marine mammal response coordinator for the Coast Guard in Hawaii. He says the Coast Guard takes pride in its ability to help protected marine species.
The Coast Guard notes the Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world with an estimated population of less than 1,100.
The Coast Guard regularly works with NOAA to help protect marine mammals.