An endangered monk seal pup was captured playing with a knife in its mouth in Hawaii recently in an incident that helped to raise public awareness of littering. /VCG Photo

Luckily, the seal held the blade by its handle without hurting itself and soon released the sharp object under rocks. /VCG Photo

Hawaiian officers say the incident is a reminder to people to properly dispose of trash. /VCG Photo

Only about 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals remained at the end of 2016, and residents have been asked to report sightings of the species to authorities. /VCG Photo