Two monk seals were born on O'ahu's North Shore this week, and several more births are expected for the critically endangered species, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service said today.

The two births this week brings the total number of seals born in the main Hawaiian Islands this year to 10, compared to 7 at the same time last year. Thirteen pups were born in the main Hawaiian Islands last year.

"This is going to be a busy pupping season," said Tracy Wurth, NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region Monk Seal Sighting Coordinator. "We are expecting several more births in the coming months as we have already identified several pregnant females out there."

A female monk seal identified as R5AY gave birth Monday to a male pup that appears to be doing well, according to the Fisheries Service. R5AY gave birth to her first pup on Kaua'i in 2005 and gave birth to another near Turtle Bay in 2006. The second pup, however, was later found dead in a gill net off Rabbit Island.

The monk seal RK28 gave birth on Wednesday, and she and her pup, whose sex has not yet been determined, appear to be behaving normally, officials said.

NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region Marine Mammal Response Coordinator David Schofield called the birth of two more pups "fantastic news."

"Because the monk seal population is declining at an alarming rate, every birth is precious," Schofield said. "We're trying desperately to ensure monk seals do not become extinct like their counterparts in the Caribbean."

Monk seals were placed on the endangered species list in 1976 and are considered one of the most endangered species in the world. There are 80 to 100 monk seals on the main Hawaiian Islands.

There are an estimated 1,100 monk seals on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.