Tuesday, September 30, 2008

DB Post Tuesday September 30th

SHE'S BACK
The Rabbit Island gang was M&M,R301 (95% molted), Hoku and Sadie, but there is bigger news !

Irma is BACK !! and as an extra added bonus, she brought Kermit back with her !! Team Billand won the turkey, when they called at 1300 with the find. The Billands found the pair near the "Wind Sock" on Kalaeloa Beach, near the Coast Guard Air Station. Irma was last seen in Ewa Beach, back on 8-7-08. She was due to give birth any day, and just as last year, she simply disappeared, until today. The numbers indicated that she would probably have weaned her pup around the week of 9-21-08, and could very well pop up somewhere anytime after that. Today was that day !

Kermit was last seen on Oahu, at Rabbit Island on 6-14-08. We got confirmation from the Kauai folks that Kermit was hangin' out over there on 8-8-08, and recent conversations indicated he was still there as of a couple of weeks ago.

Just as with last year, her pupping travels remain a mystery. Last year she was first seen near Ka'ena Point with a Kauai male in attendance, indicating that she was probably returning from the north. Since Kermit was known to be on Kauai, there is a good chance that she is once again returning from the north. Since she was not reported either year, on Kauai, it's possible she went to Niihau or beyond, but there is no proof, to date, that this is the case. It's just my Monachus gene talkin' again.

With the dynamic duo back, things are gonna' get a lot busier in the SW and SE quadrants. I sure hope they are over there Waikiki visits, but only Irma knows. Aloha, DB



1 comment:

Barbara said...

Finding Kermit along side Irma was an absolute High!!! Not finding any seal is depressing and thats how it was for weeks! I swear these two are special mates and share a beautiful BOND. I know seals don't mate for life...but Irma and Kermit? It was awesome, a natural high, we are proud of this sweet find. Thanks Irma and Kermit good to have you BACK home!!!!! Couldn't wait to share with DB and Tracy!! And the rest of the Monk Seal Response Team!!!!!!