Hawaiian monk seal pup asleep near Poipu Beach, Kauai. (Carrie Barbash)Prominent warning signs litter the pristine white sand beaches of Kauai, Hawaii. Monk seals and sea turtles are considered “part of the identity of the islands and hold a special place in the minds and hearts of the people of Hawaii,” according to NOAA. “Even if they are sleeping and seem harmless, Hawaiian monk seals are still wild animals and they can act unpredictably,” Kurtz said. “The seal could have lunged at him.”According to NOAA guidelines, people should view monk seals from a distance of 50 feet.

Source: Washington Post August 27, 2018 10:33 UTC