Endangered Seals Being Killed In Hawaii

The Hawaiian monk seal is listed as a critically endangered species and now their population has shrunk further after three, maybe four of the seals have been killed in Hawaii in the past two months.

Wildlife authorities are not sure who is killing the seals or why they have chosen to target the endangered species. In the meantime federal government agencies have stepped up their protection efforts for the species.

According to the Associated Press:

The killings are also happening as the misguided notion spreads that the animals aren’t native to Hawaii and don’t belong here.

According to local residents because of negative sentiments felt for the monk seals by local fisherman their has been a lack of concern over the species and their endangered listing.

Fisherman in the region strongly believe that the seals are not native to the region while noting that new regulations against fishing in the area will hurt their business.