A 28-year-old female visitor from Kirkland, Wash. sustained superficial, non life-threatening injuries Monday in an attack by an adult female monk seal in waters off Kauaçi.

The incident took place at around 4:43 p.m. at Mahaulepu Beach on the south shore.
The woman had been snorkeling with a friend at the beach when the current sent her adrift to an area where several monk seals, including an adult female and a pup, were swimming.
The adult female apparently felt threatened by the snorkeler and attacked her.
The snorkeler and her friend got out of the water and into a truck and were seeking medical assistance when they came upon lifeguards from the Poipu tower in their rescue truck.
The lifeguards performed first aid on the woman until fire fighters from the Kalaheo station and medics arrived and took over treating the victim.
The woman was then transported in an ambulance to Wilcox Hospital for further treatment.
Officials did not release more information on the nature of the woman’s injuries.