A highly aggressive monk seal that has attacked more than a dozen pups and juveniles is now in captivity. The animal is known as KE18, and scientists say he can never return to the wild. Over the last two years, K-E 18's behavior has led to the deaths of several young seals in the Northwest Hawaiian Island, particularly at Kure Atoll and Midway.
"KE18 was a threat, identified, killed pups. He cannot be returned to the wild," said Charles Littnan, Lead Scientist of NOAA Fisheries, Monk Seal Research Program.
Last summer, there was no facility available to house KE18 so the only other option was lethal removal. A team traveled to Kure Atoll in August but failed to capture him. Sometime between late fall and early winter, he moved to Midway, and in that time a facility in California had become available. On Saturday NOAA officials traveled to Midway to find him.
"He had hauled up on probably the most opportune spot on Midway," said NOAA Fisheries Biologist Chad Yoshinaga. On Sunday Yoshinaga says his crew from NOAA teamed with Fish and Wildlife staff on Midway and caught KE18. "Very strong he did put up a decent fight when we were trying to get him into captivity."
The 450 lb. adult male was briefly housed at a holding area at Midway before being flown to Oahu on a U.S. Coast Guard C-130. On Monday he made his way to a holding tank at the Waikiki Aquarium where he'll remain in quarantine for another three weeks.
"He's very aware of people he's starting to realize where his food is coming from," said Dera Look, of NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Stranding Program. "He's acclimating very well to his environment."
KE18 is scheduled to be sent to a facility in Santa Cruz, California where he'll be studied for 18 months before being re-located to Sea Life Park. Scientists want to know why he's aggressive.
"People that go through trauma when they're young can have troubles when they're older," said Littnan. "KE18, if you look at him, he's got lots of scars that are indicative of being perhaps a victim of a male aggressor himself. So does violence beget violence, we don't know."
Scientists hope these plans will stay in place so they can avoid there only other option for KE18: euthanization.
"When you're dealing with an endangered species and where every animal counts it is always your last option," said Littnan.
