Sunday, December 1, 2019

December 1, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

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

Marilyn did her usual check of the southeast quadrant and did not find any seals this morning.
About 10 am she headed for the pier to observe Rabbit Island but the wind conditions and high surf made sitting on the lanai an almost impossible task.  Marilyn did take a quick look and spotted two seals hauling out by the 3BS.

About 1 pm Marilyn went over to Kaupo Beach Park and set the scope up and although conditions were still overcast and windy she did manage to get a couple of photos of the critters on Rabbit Island.  
Two seals to the right of the 1BS were: UU#1 - juvenile to subadult size, beige belly, maybe female and two tags. UU#2 - located up in the morning glory, appears to be adult size and possibly molting. Could be the same unknown male molter from 11/28, but the seal stayed tucked up in the morning glory never exposing belly of tags.

Two seals to the right of the 3BS were: UM - adult size, male belly and two tags. Marilyn thinks this could be RG32 but not willing to bet any cats on it. UU#3  juvenile size, newer coat, tags and belly were not visible.

Team Billand's day started their day doing their normal routine checking all the westside sites looking for seals. Finally they spotted a seal foraging off shore doing 7 minute dives.  Team Billand was able to ID RIP RR70.

Next seal lands galumphs up on mid rocks, it was not RIP, thankfully they got a tag. It was RH76 Kala braving the gusty winds and high surf.
Another seal lands on lower rocks, and Team Billand got the tag RH32 Ka'ale. He rolled off the rock and left with the big waves. 
On an afternoon check all seals had left the site.

At 12:30 while on their routine checks Team Billand noticed volunteers at one of the sites.  There was a seal resting on shore on the sand and when it moved Team Billand noticed the fishing line. They asked what was going on..... long story short RH92 Nalani was reported with a line coming out of her mouth. Volunteers were on site and NOAA Team was on their way.
Team Billand stayed onsite to observe between 12:30 to 3 pm.  Dr. Greg arrived onsite with #1 daughter who is growing up really fast! 
NOAA's Team arrives with cage, and the process for planning her capture is on it's way.  The team used crowding boards to get RH92 Nalani to move her safely into the cage.  She was transported to NOAA facility in an unmarked  NOAA truck.  Well done Team NOAA!
And thank you Team Billand for sharing and updating us on RH92 Nalani!


UM and UU#3
UU#2 & UU#1
RIP foraging

RH76 Kala
RH32 ka'ale 
RH92 Nalani Hooked 

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