MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 08/23/2020 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, August 23, 2020

08/23/2020 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Lots of critters on Oahu today!

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from Makai Pier from about 1:15 - 3:10 pm. There were at least seven seals and possibly eight.

PO5 - Makanalani - near the inlet of the rock flats on the Lanikai side of LPB - plump weaner size and coloration, light female belly and no tags. She later entered the water and hauled out later.

N2 - Nohea - about 30 feet Lanikai side of the 1BS; small weaner size and coloration, light female belly and applied N2 bleach on her right side. Thank you NOAA for her bleach.

RG32 - about 30 feet Makapuu side of 1BS, adult male, older coat, 2 tags and applied N11 bleach.

UJM#1 (unknown juvenile male #1) - near RG32; juvenile size, older coat, 2 tags, dark male belly.

UJM#2 (unknown juvenile male #2) - near 3BS; juvenile size, older coat, male belly and 2 tags. It is possible this seal has started molting on the upper chest for about a 10% molt.

UU - (Unknown unknown) - on the rock flats behind SRI. This seal had a new coat and a light belly. It was at the same place seen the last two days.

At about 2 pm, PO5 had entered the water and was no longer on LPB. Within 15 minutes she hauled out to RG32 and the UJM#1. She was again identified by her large weaner size, no tags and light belly. She interacted with the UJM#1 and then settled down.

At about 2:30 pm, a seal hauled out to UJM#1 and PO5. This seal had a new coat, 2 tags and a natural round bleach on her lower left side. This ID'd her as RK37 Huia, RB12 Sadie's 2018 pup born on Rabbit Island.

Then less than 10 minutes later, another seal hauled out to the other three. This was ID'd as UJF (unidentified juvenile female) with new coat, light female belly, 2 tags. The size of this seal was similar to RK37 and may be RK38 Hail'a/Lauloa or could be the UU reported above who had entered the water earlier.

Meanwhile on the west side RG28 Lefty was way up on the top rocks sleeping and alone.

R3CX Nalu was inland sleeping alone on rocks. He stayed there pretty much through out the day.

RF28 Paakea was along side another seal who turned out to be RL20 Kalua. Seems like "uncle" was looking after the kid.

RL20 Kalua's hook is still there in the corner of his mouth. However another smaller hook with twine around the shank was seen. There was a third hook spotted on his belly left side. He is showing no sign of stress or discomfort. Two of them are smaller hooks that he could get rid of on his own.

Kekoa Alii RK72 was seen wiggling into the area. He looked around on lower rocks, he left and then came back around to seal inlet. Had a short visit with Lefty G28 after a few words he left again.

Kekoa then goes to the water front rocks and visits with Paakea RF28 and RL20 Kalua. There is an argument and Kekoa left again.

Later in the day he was seen in the top water hole sleeping.

A little RL70 Leina was hidden in the rocks, almost going unnoticed. She was ID'd by the marks on her face and finally her tag was visible.

And then there was fat boy ka'ale RH32 all tuckered out sleeping on the rocks. The fishemen mentioned he had been in the outfall for a long time stealing fish. At one point one of them reeled in his Akule fast and Ka'ale was chasing the line. Fishermen got the fish on the rocks, Ka'ale climbed up on the rocks and barked at him. But to make things even better a mongoose came and stole the fish off the line and took off. (I can only wish there was a video of that).