My Makai Pier day was a wet one. I got views of Rabbit Island between numerous bouts of rain squalls, but was able to ID Duke and Kolohe together on the water front rocks at Seal Rock Inlet. It was a perfect Monk Seal day, cool, and rainy. There was absolutely no reason to move.... so they didn't. Team Billand responded to KoOlina,Lagoon #1 at 0855, and found Benny foraging. He did not haul out. and they lost him at 0920.
Team Billand found a 85% molted T15M at Yokes again today. Diane Gabriel and Tony Querubin saw him at 0930.
Dera called at 1546 with the report of an U/U at Shark's Cove. Dana called at 1651 to advise that Jeannie Martinson had confirmed Right Spot at Sharks Cove.
Team Billand called at 1604 with the report of Makaiwi on the EB side of the east end perimeter fence at White Plains.
Dana's 1651 call also advised that Diane and Tony had done the Ka'ena Point trek today, and found Kerby at the end of the world. Dana called at 1822 with the report of an animal in Ewa Beach. Awaiting photos.
Maka'iwi @ White Plains
Sharkbite molting @ Yokes
This old dude would have some stories to tell... and for those of you who worry about these animals he is proof as to how resilient they can be.
Kerby.. the kerbster... kerbe-doo ... good to see ya buddy.
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3 comments:
I have some questions about T15M. I know from an earlier blog entry that he was first spotted in 1987 as an adult so he must be at least 29 years old. When first spotted, he was missing his right fore flipper. Did he lose the flipper at the same time as he received the shark bite or did the shark bite happen later?
I get asked often how old monk seals can live. I usually say the seals in the aquarium are about 30 years old. Do we have any data on the oldest seal?
You are absolutely correct on his old right fore flipper wound. The gnarly right side wound was first seen in a new state at Ka'ena Point on 1-3-04. As for the oldest seal, I'll have to check with the office on that Brenda "Yoda" Becker may well have that info. DB
Thank you DB!!! I knew you would have the answer! Diane
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