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 yesterday.

The two births this week bring the total in the main Hawaiian Islands this year to 10, compared to seven at the same time last year. Thirteen pups were born in the main islands last year.

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

"This is going to be a busy pupping season," said Tracy Wurth, the Fisheries Service's 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."