MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: July 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

7312014 More on MM

Thank you Diane for the additional photos o Miss MM !!!

7-31-2014 DB's Dailies:Kainoa@RI, Aukai@SC&LL, M&M@WP, U'ilani@RR

At 0707 on my first look at Rabbit Island I found what would prove to be Kainoa (RN04) up in the Morning Glory, 40 ft left of 1BS. I would not confirm the ID until my return at 1028. He had by then moved down to the beach front incline, and his 20% molt was clearly visible.

At 0922 Gayle called with the report of what would prove to be Aukai (RL12) at Spitting Cave. She initially thought perhaps Kaiwi, however when she looked at her photos she found that it was Aukai (RL12). Analysis here at the Monk Seal CIA confirmed the Aukai ID, by her 3 prong scar, top of head, and her right shoulder pit scar. Thank you Gayle. Ya’ Done Good !!

Gayle wasn’t through yet. At 1209 she found Aukai (RL12) once again. This time on the cove side of Lanai Lookout. This ID was by L12 tag.

At 0625 Team Billand reported M&M (R020) fronting #1708 at White Plains.

At 1600 the Billands advised that Eileen had called with the report of U’ilani (RN36) at the birth beach, Reef Runway.

aukai at spitting cave

Kanoa

aukai at lanai lookout

7-30-2014 More on MM

Thank you Diane T for sharing some additional photos of the beautiiful Miss MM !

Miss MM heading out - taking her sweet time....

maybe it's because she doesn't have Rip following her.

7-30-2014 DB's Dailies: U/U@BH&SB, Kainoa&Pua@RI, Kaiwi@KK, M&M@WP, RL42&RK36@Makua Cliff

At 0620 I checked Hanauma Bay, and found that T990 was no longer there. I had gotten a call at 1930 last night from Diga , advising of an animal at the Kahala Hilton. My guess is that it was probably T990 since he’d hauled out to that location before, but ????? No further word today.

At 0704 I found what has become the usual U/U doing 6 minute dives at Blowhole. The animal was not there on subsequent checks. I’ve still got my dollar on Buster but ?????

At 0951 on my 2nd look at Rabbit Island, I found a 15% molted Kainoa (RN04), 100 ft left of 1BS. He would remain all day.

At 1133 posse member Melanie called with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) at Irma’s Grotto, Kokee Flats, Portlock. Thank You Melanie !!!

At 1207 after a 3 day absence from my life, Pua (RF34) hauled out to the far left end of the beach on RI. She would remain the rest of the day.

At 1722 while doing my usual overview check of Sandy Beach, from the Blowhole Lookout, I began to see the adoring hordes begin to amass at the east end of Sandy Beach. I hurried down but was too . A witness said that there had been a large seal there but the people wouldn’t allow him to haul out. Instead they had their GoPros and camera phones right up his nose. The witnesses the animal swam straight out. Once again I say Buster but ????

Team Billand called at 0620 with the report of a lone M&M (R020) fronting #1708, White Plains. It’s the first time in forever that she hasn’t had RIP beside her. Diane T advised that she departed at 1320.

Team Billand called at 1553 with the report of finding RL42 at Makua Cliffs, with an U/U in the immediate area. At 1626 the Billands confirmed the RK36 ID.

Donna added a piece from the Garden Island News, to the blog this morning, concerning yesterday’s tragic day on Kauai. Through the day I’ve noted that the Star-Advertiser also did a piece.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20140730_Hawaiian_monk_seal_pup_killed_by_dog_bite.html?id=269275161

Gary Langley, who has been providing us with daily info on the Kauai cast, of Rocky & KC and their kids, as well as others, has unfortunately been called to the mainland for a death in the family so we’ve lost his unique perspective. Gary my deepest sympathy for the loss to your family.... and I have to believe the news about PK5 has to really sting... we are thinking out you here on the islands.

Kainoa

Pua

Kaiwi

MM at white plains....

i just love her face.... so sweet... hey MM you trying to hide behind that pole? it's not working

RL42 and RK36

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Sad News From the Garden Island

http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/monk-seal-pup-found-dead/article_3a5e714e-17af-11e4-9a56-001a4bcf887a.html

7-29-2014 DB's Dailies : T990@HB, UU@BH, U/M,Kainoa@RI, Kaiwi@LL, RIP&M&M@WP, Kolohe@Maili Pt, RK36&RL42@Makua Cliffs

My day began with a trip to Hanauma Bay. At 0630 I found T990 right where we’d left him last night , high on the beach on the east end rock flats. Since it was a Tuesday and HB was closed, he had the whole place to himself. On a subsequent visit by Tracy, Jordan & I he had moved down to the water line to cool off at 1043. Tomorrow ?????

At 0650 I found an adult sized animal with 2 red tags, doing 6 minute dives, at Blowhole. Of course I’ve gotta’ cat on Buster, but since I did not see him again today.... ????

Posse member Jennifer called at 1745 to advise that a critter had tried to haul out from the east end of Sandy Beach and Crappy Cove, but the “adoring hordes” would not allow it. They lost the animal at the Half Point channel. I had gone to the Blowhole Lookout with the call thinking that I’d find Buster trying to haul out to the west end of SB, but instead finding him once again doing his routine 6 minute dives at the Lookout. Was it Buster ??????? I can’t prove it , but I’ve got a coupla’ cats on the line that say Yes !

On my 2nd look at Rabbit Island, at 0842 I found an U/M , partially visible at Seal Rock Inlet, No ID was possible and I did not see the animal again today. At 0851 Tracy, Jordan & I found what would prove to be Kainoa (RN04)at Left Greenery, Rabbit Island.

At 1001 I became aware that Kainoa has begun his molt. I thought I’d seen a mid chest bare spot yesterday, but I couldn’t be sure. Today he was an obvious 10% molted.

At 1255 Gayle called with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) at Buster Flats, Lanai Lookout. Thank You Gayle !!!!!

At 0644 Team Billand reported an over nighted RIP (RR70) & M&M (R020) fronting #1708, White Plains.

At 1127 Karen Bryant called with the report of an animal at 3 Tables , on the North Shore . Awaiting photos, but her description suggested RI37 ????

At 1332 the Billands found Kolohe (RW22) at Maili Point. He would depart with the rising tide at 1349.

At 1543 the Billands the Billands found RK36 in the company of RL42 at Makua Cliffs.

A 1610 they reported their departure an attempted haul out ot Yokes, but the “adoring hordes” armed with their Go Pros and Camera Phones simply would not allow it They were last seen heading west.

Gary Langley sent photos of Rocky & PK4 and KC&PK5 on Kauai from yesterday (7-28-14). Tragically , today is a much sadder day. It hurts me to my soul to have to tell you that KC’s, 13 day old pup, PK5 was found dead this morning . NOAA’s first indications are that it was killed by dog(s). There is a perfectly good Leash Law out there. All we really need is to have dog owners actually pay attention to it’s existence, and for Law Enforcement (Cops & DOCARE) to actually ENFORCE IT !!!! . I have ZERO faith in either of those things EVER happening. Sad ! My sincerest apologies to DB and the rest of the readers... But until there is more information on what has happened it's probably best to leave things unsaid. I HATE doing this.... I have spent the latter part of this evening debating on how to handle this blog... One choice was to not post anything at all.... just skip it.... however that wouldn't be fair... so my choice (sorry DB) is to block the last paragraph. I wanted to make sure "they" NOAA and Veterinarians have a chance to do the necropsy and gather all the necessary information ... before making any comments. I also want to pass on my heart felt condolences to the volunteers on Kauai... I am sure you are all with a heavy heart. To all of us who know KC I know this is a tough pill to swallow. Please be sensitive with any information you have heard.... without knowing all the details ... we don't want to speculate or interfere with any information that may need to be gathered.

Kainoa