Information sought after suspicious monk seal death on Molokai
COURTESY NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that RJ42 was found dead by community members on May 31 on the west end of Kawaaloa Bay in Moomomi on the island of Molokai.
Federal officers are seeking information on the suspicious death of a juvenile female monk seal on Molokai.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that RJ42 was found dead by community members on May 31 on the west end of Kawaaloa Bay in Moomomi on the island of Molokai.
Following a post-mortem examination on June 1, NOAA Fisheries found that the injuries were purposely inflicted by a person or persons that caused a significant amount of trauma resulting in the monk seal’s death. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is currently conducting an investigation.
This is the sixth suspected monk seal killing on Molokai, and third in Moomomi, since 2009.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the NOAA enforcement hotline at 1-800-853-1964 or send an email to respectwildlife@noaa.gov. Reports can be made anonymously. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement may offer a reward to any person who furnishes information leading to an arrest, conviction or civil penalty assessment.
