Honestly I don't know the whole story or who is involved but based on everyone's comments there are a lot of people who are equally upset. As appalled as we all are and I hope the authorities are able to get to the bottom of this.
I have two thoughts; 1st I was genuinely relieved to see all the comments in support of protecting the seal and their outrage over this behavior.
Secondly after a brief conversation with the "posse" we all agree the importance of outreach and being on the beaches. Let me explain, every time there is a "seal supporter" on the beaches talking to the public about how to best protect them, giving them space and that they're critically endangered the more people become educated and involved. When the public is educated and cares about what is happening then they are more likely to speak up to a situation like this. I saw it in the comments, people were outraged.
In closing I will say, for every person who is out there talking about our Hawaiian monk seals, whether you are on the beach, in a classroom or just letting people know how important it is to protect them, I applaud you and IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! And for all of you who have been doing it for hours on end day after day, (you know who you are) you will ALL forever be my heros! Okay back to our regularly scheduled program....
Posse Pal Anissa was doing her morning turtle shift when she noticed there was a visitor off shore. The seal stayed in the cove foraging and then left. Nice little surprise while watching the turtles. Thank you Anissa for sharing.
Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 10:45 to Noon and immediately saw two seals close together about 60 ft right of the 1BS. There was UM#1 large adult male, darker belly and two tags.UM#2 slightly smaller and a little closer to the water. Appears to be sub-adult to adult, mottled male belly with two tags.
To the right of the 3BS was an unknown juvenile, light colored female belly and two tags (UJF). About 11:30, Marilyn noticed that she was no longer on the beach and most likely entered the water.
Maybe 10 minutes later a smaller seal hauled out near the two males.
This presumably is the same UJF. She galumphed up and visited each of the males. Then the two males decided to start fighting with each other and the UJF moved up and headed toward left point beach. The boys continued to fight for a while and then eventually settled down. Team Billand arrived on the west side before 9 am and there was one seal at the inlet. Nalu R3CX was sleeping in peace alone.
RL20 Kalua first arrived early made a brief appearance and then departed. About an hour later he returned and hauled up on lower rocks alone. No other seals came out to play today.Melody received a text at 8 am letting her know there was a small seal at cove 4, and she was off to take a look. When she arrived, security had already set up a SRA and a friend was there helping keep the crowds back. Melody got the tag shot and confirmed RH92 Nalani and called it into the hotline.
Being a sunny Sunday morning there were a lot of visitors so Melody had her work cut out for her. While Melody was doing outreach, RH92 mostly snoozed the with the exception of moving a little closer to the beach every once in a while.
A volunteer arrived at 10:30 and that is when Nalani decided to move up the beach to avoid the waves washing over her.The winds picked up during the day and some "tumbleweed" type objects startled her but soon became something to play with. About 3 pm Nalani took a look around and allowed the waves to take her out to deeper waters. She made a couple of dives and then headed out in an easterly direction.
UJF
UM#1 and #2 when little UJF hauled up
the boys get into the a spat and UJF moves out of the way
UM#1 and UM#2
R3CX Nalu
RL20 Kalua
Video of RH92 Nalani
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