A woman was bit by a 'protective' monk seal off a beach in Hawaii after wildlife officials urged swimmers to avoid the area since a seal had given birth to her baby pup weeks prior.
The attack took place on Sunday morning around 8 am at Kaimana Beach in Waikiki on the island of O'ahu.
The female swimmer, who was not identified, is about 20 feet into the water when suddenly the monk seal emerges and starts to attack.
VIDEO: human invades water space of Hawaiian monk seal who recent gave birth at Kaimana, Oʻahu.
— Uahikea Maile (@uahikea) July 25, 2022
Mother seal, recognized as endangered and protected by human law, enforces boundary and reminds human not to violate it.
Humans blame seal, claiming it was the aggressor. https://t.co/YURarnTTtg
The woman is seen in the video attempting to swim in the other direction and away from the seal but as she gets closer to shore, the seal charges at her.
Witnesses are heard screaming from the shore watching the terrifying encounter unfold as they scream in fear: 'Get Out! Get Out!'
The woman's head is bobbing back and forth and at times underneath the ocean waters as they ripple.
This went on for a few horrifying moments until a man kayaking comes to the women's rescue.
Two men in swim trunks are seen carrying the woman to safety where she received medical care. It is not known what type of injuries the woman sustained.
Witness Curt Otsuka, said: 'If it wasn't for the kayak guy paddling over to save her she would have got like chomped,' USA Today reported.
Another witness told Hawaii News Now that the woman ignored calls from marine life officials to leave the area.
Hawaii Marine Animal Response said in a statement on Facebook on Sunday that the Hawaiian monk seal had given birth to a pup approximately two weeks ago in the area, and officials had been monitoring their mother and her baby's activity.
Woman is rescued after being BITTEN by monk seal protecting her pup in Hawaii https://t.co/gldgR5Qo5q
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 26, 2022
'People are again reminded that Hawaiian monk seal moms with pups are protective, can be dangerous, and have inflicted serious wounds on nearby swimmers,' the statement reads.
Along the beach are signs warning of potential interactions with the sea creatures.
'We continue to warn people not to engage in in-water activities when a monk seal mother with a pup are in the area and to stay at least 150 feet from mother seals with pups,' Hawaii Marine Animal Response said.
The animal response team encouraged beachgoers to following the guidance and instructions provided by HMAR, NOAA, Ocean Safety, or other authorized parties on the beach.
'Continued vigilance is advised for several more weeks until the mother monk seal weans her pup.'
This article has been adapted from its original source.
