Kauai's Tourist & Seal Encounter - What not to do!

This email was sent to me from one of the volunteers on Kauai... They certainly have their hands full, it still amazes me how stupid people can be... who in their right mind sneaks up behind a 500+ lb. animal... DUH!  What I found most upsetting is if you are able to enlarge the photo you can clearly see by the eyes this animal is extremely pissed off.  Thanks Patty and Paul for spreading the word.

Aloha All,
Forwarding pictures taken by our new friend and seal advocate, Simon, of a snorkeler who harrassed a seal on the beach of the St. Regis, Princeville (north shore of Kauai) on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at approximately 11:00 AM.
Simon witnessed this seal attempting to haul out on the sunny portion of St. Regis beach; she tried for about one hour but Simon reported seeing "about thirty people" crowded on the shoreline. This man approached the seal from behind, and the pictures depict her response.
Simon took pictures of this event, and his girlfriend, Kristy, was so distressed that she ran to a phone and called the hotline. Lisa called us and we ran down there right away, but by the time Paul and I had gotten to the location, the snorkeler was gone, the seal had hauled out in the shade of a tree (where she had been seen just prior to Christmas) and the St. Regis crew had roped her off. We stayed on the site for several hours, adjusted the ropes and signs, did education and outreach and "deputized" Simon!!, thanking him profusely for his photos and help.
Just wanted you all to know that we are quite busy here in winter on the north shore, with storms and surf and tourists, and seals.
Best, Patty & Paul