HONOLULU — A woman known for helping rescue endangered Hawaiian monk seals has filed a lawsuit claiming she’s being harassed by volunteers who monitor the creatures.
Hawaii News Now reports that Hawaiian Monk Seal advocate Zeenat Mian filed a lawsuit alleging that volunteers with a nonprofit group that works with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to monitor the monk seals have harassed and threatened her on beaches.
Mian is also seeking temporary restraining orders against several volunteers.
The nonprofit group Hawaii Marine Mammal Alliance declined to comment. Several volunteers are seeking restraining orders against Mian.
Environmental activists say the volunteers often harass people who they believe have gotten too close to seals. Environmental activist Carroll Cox says the volunteers aren’t properly trained to be dealing with the public.