Hawaiian Monk Seal Too Friendly?

(CBS)  He's a seal pup who might just believe he's a puppy, as CBS News Correspondent John Blackstone reports.

An unusually friendly baby monk seal on the Hawaiian island of Molokai has been showing off his playfulness in YouTube videos and beach photos.

The 17-month-old seal clearly loves people, says Eric Demmers, who took the pictures. "He'll pretty much give you a hug. He likes to be petted. He just acts like a big dog."

He was abandoned hours after birth and raised by a wildlife rescue team who named him KP2. But now that he's grown to 175 pounds his playfulness could turn dangerous, because mature seals can hold people under water.

Officials tried moving KP2 40 miles away but he was back two days later. Now they're considering moving him 200 miles.

It's a dilemma familiar to those who care enough to rescue wild animals. Human contact can be a blessing and a curse.

When an orphaned sea lion named Ella was brought to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom she didn't even know how to swim. Volunteers had to help teach her.

It saved her life, but she'll never have the skills to survive in the wild.

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium an ambitious program to raise abandoned sea otter pups was designed to teach the otters everything they would have learned from their mothers. But the otters lost their fear of people, and that endangered their survival.

On Molokai residents are hoping that KP2 can beat the odds and stay wild but still hang out with them. They're willing to take the chance.

YouTube: Mac and KP2

[elliesamericana]

I think the best course of action would be to recapture (which looks pretty easy to do) and put the seal in a good zoo environment where he can be safe and interact with both people and his own kind. It looks like the transition to the wild has failed. I don't fear for the people the seal encounters, but for the seal if he encounters the wrong people. People, unfortunately, are the problem, not the seal.

[bengo70]

Ellise
Monk Seals cannot survive in captivity. You are correct in this instance, when you state. "People, unfortunately, are the problem, not the seal".

[parisdakar]

Who are the people in the picture playing with the seal? Arrest them, fine them. They shouldn't even approach the animal.

[rf35]

Poor little guy. Probably won't be able to survive on its own if after being raised by people. It obviously has lost its fear of humans and that in itself can be a death sentence in the wild.

[kerry4ever]

"Striving for better oft we mar what's well" - Shakespeare. Surely those involved in rescuing animals, including seals, should be mindful of the dangers relating to human bonding. It is not rocket science. I've seen articles on rescued birds where the rescue charities use puppets like the bird's mother to facilitate transfer back to nature. This wildlife rescue team are setting this seal up to fail, so they can have him back as a fancy pet and get the public to give up their hard earned dollars to support them.

[bengo70]

To the people on Molokai; You should know that the Hawaiian Monk Seal is on the criticaly endagered species list. It is a wild animal. Only 1100 left in existence. They are not social, even amoung thier own, unless mating. Allowing your dog in the water with them is inviting interchangable deseases. Dogs cary desease fatal to the seals and seals desease fatal to the dog. They are natural preditors. Feeding them and treating them as pets is fatal to them ane possibly to you, (or your children). They cannot be kept in captivity. They are different from the "cute" seals you see at the zoo. To protect them, when they come ashore, stay at least 150 ft. distance. (Hawaiian and Federal Law). Do not allow domestic animals to approach them. Call NOAA Fisheries Monk Seal Hotline at: 808-220-7802. It is Pono thing to do. Mahalo Nui Loa.

[brianbwb-2009]

Best thing to do is wait until mating season, then release it (him?)into a group of the opposite gender.

That will divert attention, perhaps long enough for it (him?) to figure things out.

[erasmus111]

If it was moved 40 miles away and it came back, what makes them think that moving it 200 miles away is going to stop it from coming back again?

He's lonely.

[proudmilvet]

What does it matter, as long as he is safe,happy & Loved!

[lmartink]

When did this stupidity start?

Playing with children? Give me a break -- this is an apex predator that can hold it's own in a group or Galapagos, or Tiger Sharks. If the sharks won't mess with it, then why are people?

Someone in a position of responsiblity for this animal does not know what they are doing.

This is also an endangered species, whose numbers in the wild are diminishing at an alarming rate. There is now way this animal should become someone's pet, or be allowed to "imprint" on people.