HONOLULU -- A beached Hawaiian monk seal who won the hearts of hundreds of Windward residents died.

The seal, nicknamed Chester by his fans, was found dead by Federal Marine Fisheries authorities Wednesday.

KITV's Denby Fawcett reported that residents are feeling the loss.

Kailua residents first met Chester when he lumbered up on New Year's Day.

The monk seal remained on Kailua Beach for 26 more days while he went through the natural process of shedding his skin.

"We are very disappointed and saddened by the loss of this animal," said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Fisheries spokesman David Schofield.

Chester's body was found on Rabbit Island and was identified by bleach marks on his neck and flipper. Officials said Chester died of natural causes.

"You know, it is a huge loss -- it's a huge loss," Donna Festa said.

Festa and her friend, Patricia Boehm, were among the volunteers who protected Chester from dogs and curious beach-goers while he rested.

"I just wish he was here a little longer. It is very difficult for me to think I am not going to ever see him again," Festa said. "At the height of Chester's visit, sometimes 50 or 60 people would be down here at the beach to spend time with him."

"We kind of look at Chester as our ambassador that brought a whole community in Hawaii together," Boehm said.

NOAA scientists gave the highest praise for Chester's volunteer protectors.

"We hope that the momentum that has been generated by the care for him (continues). We got to let people know that there are 80 more seals out here. We have got care for here in the Hawaiian Islands, and that is all of our responsibility -- to take care of these animals," Schofield said.

There are only 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals left, and their numbers are declining by 4 percent each year.