Final aloha to beloved 19-year-old monk seal

'Benny' the monk seal has died
'Benny' the monk seal has died(HMAR)
Published: Jun. 22, 2022 at 8:47 PM HST|Updated: Jun. 22, 2022 at 8:53 PM HST
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The NOAA announced Wednesday a 19-year-old monk seal has died.

The monk seal — better known as ‘Benny’ — was found on Mokuleia beach last week, officials said.

Benny was born on Kauai in 2002. He survived two life saving surgeries to remove fishing hooks.

The NOAA said Benny helped fisheries and conservation partners learn a lot about the endangered Hawaiian monk seal population.

He was a regular on Oahu beaches from Honolulu to North Shore.

They are also awaiting tissue samples to determine an exact cause of death.

Copyright 2022 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.