A endangered monk seal pup was killed this week in an apparent dog attack on a remote beach on Kauai’s north shore, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Federal and state officials have initiated an investigation and are asking for the public’s help on information on the attack. David Schofield, NOAA’s Marine Mammal Health and Response coordinator, said this is believed to be the first monk seal killed by a dog in the main Hawaiian Islands.

It’s unknown whether the dog or dogs involved were feral. Officials are reminding dog owners of the state’s leash laws and to always keep their pet on a leash where wildlife may be present.

The attack occurred sometime between 6 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. Volunteers discovered the motionless male pup identified as PK5 Tuesday morning. The pup’s mother, identified as RK28 and also known as KC, was observed watching over her pup, who was born about two weeks ago, and making distressed sounds in an attempt to get a response from her pup, said Schofield.

KC and her pup — estimated at 30 pounds to 40 pounds and still nursing — were in a fenced protection zone on the remote beach. Unfortunately, a dog or dogs were able to get around the fence and attacked the seals. A necropsy revealed puncture wounds to the pup’s head and neck, and a photo sent by NOAA showed deep punctures in its neck. Schofield said one of the pup’s major blood vessels was severed in the attack.

The pup’s mother suffered bite marks on her muzzle. It’s presumed she was trying to protect her pup from the attack. Three other monk seals on the beach — a mother and her pup and a weaned seal — also suffered scratches and puncture wounds consistent with a dog attack.

Those wounds are not life-threatening and the marine mammal response network team were there Wednesday to monitor the seals.

Rachel Sprague, NOAA’s Hawaiian monk seal recovery coordinator, said officials are worried the seals’ wounds could lead to an infectious disease outbreak tied to canine distemper (morbillivirus). “Because the monk seal population is so small, that risk could have potentially devastating results.”                                                     

With a population total of fewer than 1,200, the Hawaiian monk seal is a critically endangered species. Their decline rate is 4 percent to

 5 percent yearly, said Schofield, adding, “Each seal is critical to the survival of the population.”

Anyone with information on the monk seal pup’s death is urged to contact NOAA’s Marine Mammal Hotline, 888-256-9840.