HONOLULU -- The monk seal pup abandoned by its mother on Kauai last year and then raised in captivity has a problem.

The seal, KP2, was rescued just days after its birth in May 2008. It was raised in captivity on Oahu by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Mammal Response team and then flown to the island of Molokai, where it was released.

The seal seemed to be acclimating, but he had become a little too friendly, officials said.

KP2 is known to play with swimmers. The problem is that as he gets older, KP2 has begun to play like older monk seals, meaning it could bite and hold swimmers under water.

Scientists have diagnosed KP2 with cataracts. They said he probably would not survive much longer in the wild.

"The fact that this animal has cataracts deems him non-releasable. It went from a relocation mission from bringing him in and taking him to another spot to really a rescue mission," said David Schofield, of NOAA.

KP2 has been taken out of the wild and is currently residing at Waikiki Aquarium until a decision is made on its future.