08/11/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) RH32, RN14, RO28, RH48, & a Seal Party of 7 on Rabbit Island

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, and Lesley. Lesley's complete Ka'ena Update is part two of the dailies.  

Team Billand was out at the outfall early this morning and sure enough there was Ka'ale RH32 swimming in the outfall. And much to their surprise and relief, he didn't steal any fish today. Even the fishermen were aware, that they commented "the seal not taking fish from our lines".  THEN an hour into their visit everything changed. One of the fishermen fought a huge fish, Team Billand was
concerned, but Ka'ale was to the left swimming. The fisherman fought for 23 minutes and then Ka'ale came charging towards the "big one" at warp speed. 
The fisherman tried to reel it in as fast as he could but Kaale grabbed the tail. Long story short, Kaale tugged to hard on the line it broke and he stole "the big one" (looked to be about 10 lb Kawakawa.  He took it, and then a second seal joined him. Turned out to be RN14 Kalani came to join his buddy for breakfast. Once Kalani finished he left, and Ka'ale stayed until 10:20 am, then he was gone.  About a half hour later Team Billand found them both at a nearby beach fat and content and resting peacefully.

Team Billand received a call just before 7 am about a seal at Paradise Cove. They told the caller they would call the hotline, and that they couldn't get there right away, because they were dealing with two other seals.  Team Billand had a feeling it was Pohaku since she had just weaned her pup from Kauai, so Robert decided to head over and check it out.  Sure enough it was Pohaku RO28 and Robert saw that volunteers were on site, so he left to pickup Barbara.  


Last but not least today, Team Billand came across Lei Ola RH48 at a west side beach. Lei Ola was moving about with the big waves, as she tried to get higher up on the rocks.  She is looking healthy but they did notice some bites on the right side of her neck. Unknown if it was another seal (male) or dog bites, or something else. Nothing serious just some new marks. 

Marilyn did the Ka'ena Trek with Lesley this morning and they saw seven seals, and that in itself is quite a day. When Marilyn got home, she headed over to the pier and viewed Rabbit Island from 3 - 4:45 pm. As soon as she looked through the scope she spotted SEVEN seals. ( okay do the math 7 @ Ka'ena and 7 on Rabbit Island that is a 14 SEAL DAY!!!)

Three seals were to the left of the 1BS, one seal in the right middle cliff area, and three clustered near the 3BS.
Seal #1 UJF unknown juvenile female, alone at Left Point Beach, newly molted. Female belly two tags.
Seal #2 UM unknown male, adult to subadult with brownish coat, male belly and two tags. May have an applied bleach on the middle left side (or it could be sand)
Seal #3 Weaner PO6, weaner size, shape and coloration with no visible tags. Light belly, possible female and a very healthy size.
Seal #4 UM - subadult male at the right middle cliff alone, lighter belly, 2 tags and an older coat.
Seal #5 Weaner/juvenile female, 2 tags, small size, light female belly. Marilyn's best guess (and hope) that this is RK38 Hali'a.
Seal #6 Unknown subadult male; new coat with lighter belly, 2 tags, no applied bleach.
Seal # 7 Unknown adult male, older coat with lots of green, dark male belly and two tags

ALL I can say is WOW!!!!

 Kaale RH38

 Finally hauled out later

 RN14 Kalani joing his buddy Kaale 

Kalani also finally hauled out to rest with his buddy

 Lei Ola RH48

 Pohaku RO28 back on Oahu

She's looking thin but she just weaned her pup and swam back to Oahu so now time to chow down. 

 And her is the idiot who jumped into the SRA to get a picture. He is the type of person that deserves an Ignorant Idiot Award

Rabbit Island Party of Seven

Seal #1 UJF 

 #2 UM & #3 PO6

 Seal #4 UM

 Seal #5 RK38 #6 UM #7 UM