1/2/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: NOAA Update, UU@Campbells, Kekoa RK72, Ka'ale RH32, RN14, RIP RR70, Luana RN58, and 2 Rabbit Island Critters

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley and Gayle.  I received an email with a link to an NOAA Update on Kahulu RJ16, which most of you have seen already. 
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/stories/hawaiian_monk_seal_rj16_update_01022018.html

Team Billand spotted a seal foraging off shore at Campbells. They were unable to get an ID, but determined the seal was an adult with red tags, clean doing 5 minute dives. Seal will be reported as a U/U.

Team Billands' next stop they spotted a seal on the rocks and ID'd Kekoa Alii RK72, only to see Ka'ale RH32 coming up to the same spot.  Once Ka'ale landed he began head butting Kekoa, which in turn Kekoa vocalized back to him. Ka'ale moved away (sulking).  Next seal they found at the same site was RN14 alone.  They noticed a seal foraging off shore doing 6 minute dives. The seal then came in and stayed in the shallows for awhile, later moving to the rocks with RN14. They ID'd this seal as RIP RR70.

Lesley went down to check and found RN58 Luana at Baby Pools Birth Beach. She is looking mighty healthy and was out cold to the world. Lesley kept waiting for the big sets to come in and wash over her, but the natural rock barrier kept her safe and dry. 

Email from Vicki noting she was SKUNKED again today, poor thing three days in a row.

Gayle reported 2 seals on Rabbit Island and sent what she called "sad looking photos" LOL I hope she is referring to the distance and not anything serious.

UU @ Campbells

Kekoa RK72

Ka'ale RH32

 Ka'ale poking Kekoa

 HEY ! Stop poking me !!!

RN14

RIP RR70

 RN58 Luana

Rabbit Island Critters