They are giving the newborn a 50 percent chance of survival.

He's vocal but still very weak. This baby monk seal, just 5 days old is being kept in quarantine because he is suseptible to infection.

"It's in really critical shape right now, this is a critical time because it doesn't have a strong immune system," said Charles Littnan, NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

The pup was rescued on a remote Kauai beach after his mother abandoned him.

"It was really kind of sad. The first thing we saw was this little pup with its flipper's outstretched on a big wet rock trying to suckle because the mom was no where to be found," said David Schofield, NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office.

When the mother returned experts tried to reunite the two.

"At first when we put them together they touched nose to nose and we were hoping there would be that bond there. But then the mother started biting the pup on the head," Schofield said.

Scientists grabbed him and the pup was flown to Oahu, where he's now being cared for around the clock at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration facility in Kewalo.

At first, he was dehydrated and very hungry. The first day, they just gave him water. On Sunday, they moved to formula.

"We are doing dilute batches of formula and kind of slowly increasing the strength until we can get more calories. The pup weighs about 32 1/2 pounds, he's about 3 1/2 almost 4 feet long," said Dr. Gregg Levine, NOAA Veteranarian.

But there's a long way to go before the pup is out of the woods.

"Taking an animal this young, if we are successful is going to teach us an incredible amount about how to care and nurture for these animals and make sure they are able to survive," said Littnan.

Hawaiian monk seals are endangered. There are only about 1200 alive today. Scientists are hoping to add one more.

Less than 1 in 5 reach adulthood.

Experts don't know yet when this pup will be out of danger. They are taking it one step at a time. We'll keep you posted.

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