VIDEO: Seal pup seen playing with a knife in Hawaii
Digital Reporter
Thursday, April 19, 2018, 3:41 PM - A Hawaiian monk seal pup named Manu‘iwa has become an internet celebrity after video emerged of her playing with an orange knife last Sunday.
Manu‘iwa was born in February and frequents the waters around the Big Island. Animals experts have been keeping a close eye on her to ensure her health ever since.
(RELATED: Baby seal rescued from California suburb)
Video of Manu‘iwa playing with the dangerous object was uploaded to Vimeo by Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources conservation division this week.
At one point, she drops the knife under rocks, but retrieves it.
“Monk seal pups of Manuʻiwa’s age are essentially toddler-like in their behavior, and aren’t necessarily aware of the dangers of the objects they find in their environment,” Claire Simeone, director of Ke Kai Ola, a hospital which has been monitoring the seal's health, said in a news release. “We are so grateful that our response volunteers were able to safely resolve this situation and help keep this young pup safe.”
Experts say its vital young seals avoid human interactions, especially at this curious stage in her life. Experts are trying to prevent her from becoming too familiar with humans, as that could put her safety in danger.
Simeone says the incident also serves as a reminder to properly dispose of items to ensure they don't wind up in the ocean.
