Two endangered Hawaiian monk seal pups have been rescued this summer, according to federal wildlife officials, improving their prospects for survival.

The two pups — one from Kauai, and the other from Molokai — are now under the care of The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola, a specialized hospital for monk seals in Kailua-Kona.

Hawaiian monk seal RU28 was born on Kauai this summer, but was underweight at the time of weaning from his mother, according to experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The mom-and-pup pair spent nearly five weeks together, which is within the usual nursing period of five to seven weeks. However, NOAA decided the pup was underweight and needed intervention.

A team from NOAA transported RU28 to Ke Kai Ola, where he is now gaining weight a

See Full Page