Beloved Hawaiian monk seal Ka'ale found dead on Oahu shore
A well-known Hawaiian monk seal, named Ka'ale, has been found dead on the shore near Nanakuli. The 10-year-old seal, often seen along the Waianae coast, was discovered on May 6. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the cause of his death. Ka'ale, also known by his identification tag RH32, had a long history with conservation teams. In 2018, when he was just two years old, a barbed circle hook was removed from his tongue. At the same time, vets found three smaller hooks in his stomach.
On May 6, beachgoers reported the dead seal, and Honolulu Ocean Safety brought him to shore. NOAA quickly confirmed his identity and coordinated recovery efforts with local partners. Advocates have since noted unusual marks on Ka'ale’s back, raising concerns about a possible boat strike. NOAA is now conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The agency has also thanked the public and partner organisations for their rapid response in reporting the incident.
The loss of Ka'ale has prompted NOAA to remind the public about marine wildlife safety. Anyone who spots an injured or dead marine animal is urged to call the agency’s hotline at (888) 256-9840. The results of the examination will provide further details on what happened to the seal.
