TGI STAFF Ocean access via Po’ipu Beach Park has been restricted to Brennecke’s Beach and near the site of the former Waiohai Hotel in an effort to protect a baby monk seal and its mother who have made the park’s
TGI STAFF
Ocean access via Po’ipu Beach Park has been restricted to Brennecke’s Beach and near the site of the former Waiohai Hotel in an effort to protect a baby monk seal and its mother who have made the park’s “keiki pond” their temporary home.
Offcials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service fenced off a large portion of the Kaua’i County park Friday, a county spokeswoman said. The area will remain closed until the pup has been weaned from its mother, possibly late August or early September.
The closure is in response to a recommendation made by NOAA and concern over an incident last Sunday, when a snorkeler was bitten by the mother seal. The seal apparently thought the snorkeler, a Texas man, was a threat to her pup, officials said. He wasn’t seriously injured.
A smaller closure “was sufficient earlier because the seals stayed near the birthing area. But now that the pup is swimming more,” it and its mother will need more room, said Margaret Dupree, protected species program coordinator for NOAA’s Pacific Islands office.
Dupree noted the mother “will continue to be protective,” and closing the beach will help protect the seals and the public.
“We need to remember that these seals are wild animals and their behavior may be unpredictable,” she said. “We don’t want to put anyone at risk.”
Part of the park and its pavilions will still be open tothe public, but swimming in the restricted area is prohibited.
At least one NOAA biologist and several volunteers are monitoring the seals and the restricted-area boundaries.
