The Hawaiian monk seal community has been rocked by recent incidents involving Lesley Macpherson, a state parks employee whose dogs killed a day-old monk seal pup in May. Macpherson had previously been reported to federal authorities for similar incidents, but no penalties were imposed due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Monk seal advocates are calling for Macpherson’s removal from her position, citing a history of allowing her dogs to roam freely in a sensitive seal birthing area. Despite her years of experience volunteering with monk seals, Macpherson’s actions have caused harm to the endangered species, leading to a $20,000 fine for the death of the monk seal pup. The unresolved situation has raised concerns among conservationists and volunteers who monitor and protect the monk seal population in Hawaii. State and federal authorities are under scrutiny for their handling of the matter, as calls grow for strict enforcement of regulations to prevent further harm to these vulnerable marine mammals.
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State Worker Faces Charges for Monk Seal Pup’s Death After Allowing Dogs Off Leash Multiple Times
