Federal and state officials are investigating the suspicious death of a monk seal on the northeast coast of Kauai, according to a statement released by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources on Wednesday.

The discovery follows the recent deaths of three monk seals on Molokai. Two of these deaths are being investigated for foul play. Results of the necropsy on the third monk seal were inconclusive, but more studies are being done. 

William Aila, who heads DLNR, said the following in a statement:

This was not how I hoped the New Year would start. Monk seals are a vital part of Hawai‘i’s marine ecosystems.  The intentional killing of any monk seal is not only illegal, it is inexcusable environmentally and culturally.