A baby Hawaiian monk seal abandoned by its mother on Kaua'i is eating well and is maintaining its weight so far today, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration officials say.

The team caring for the newborn seal said that he remains in stable condition, said Wende Goo, NOAA spokeswoman.

"He's moving around and pooping a lot," Goo said. "Although this is good news, NOAA Fisheries remain guardedly optimistic about his chances."

The seal pup was found last week on a beach in a remote area of Kauai's North Shore. A team arrived and found the pup alone on the beach trying to suckle on a rock. A male and female monk seal joined the pup but attempts to introduce the pup to the female were unsuccessful. The female is the same monk seal that abandoned a pup in the same location last year. That pup died.

Monk seals are on the endangered species list.