MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 04/05/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Thursday, April 5, 2018

04/05/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Team T&D, Lesley and Gayle. It certainly feels like a more normal day, as there were several sightings across the island. Although none of the critters were willing to reveal where they been hiding for the last couple of days.

Unfortunately Gayle was skunked again today, which is too bad I was hoping for 100% attendance today. That's okay Gayle there is always tomorrow.

Lesley was out at Ka'ena Point today joined by Team T&D. I'll include Lesley's full report in part 2 of the dailies.

However I would like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Lesley on her first official day as an Outreach Technician at Ka'ena Point for RCUH/PCSU/DLNR/DOFAW/NARS. ( which is the short way of saying Research Corporation University of Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, Department of Land & Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Area Reserve System HOLY MOLY that's a mouthful. )

Team T&D were out at Ka'ena Point and as mentioned met up with Lesley at the end of their trek. The three of them picked up a lot of trash plus three more crates that Lesley took away. As far as seals sighting they spotted R353 and R3CU on the rocks. R353's CC bite is healing amazingly well. RW02 PvKauai was in the main pool on his own.

Team Billand was out at the crack of dawn arriving at Paradise Cove and there was good ole Benny RE74 high up on shore snoozing away. They set up the perimeter, but there wasn't any rope, so it was a good thing they had some extra to use. They made adjustments when da Benny moved down. They spent time educating folks who were up and out as early as they were. Team Billand called the hotline. They left the site at 7:50 am and they spotted Kevin arriving at the footpath. Benny was in good hands.

Next stop Leeward Beach and much to their excitement they found two of their boys. Rip RR70 was to the left on lower rocks in such a deep sleep the crabs were walking all over him. The next find was RH32 Kaale to the right on high rocks snoozing. Chances are they both came in at the same time or very close since they were both still wet.

Team Billand decided to head out to Ka'ena Point from the west side, on the way out they made a stop and found RH48 Lei Ola on the rocks still hooked. She is looking plump and healthy. They did another check on her on their way back and she was still there alone and fine.

They trekked out to Ka'ena from the west side and spotted a seal snoozing alone. To their horror there was a cargo net, half on the rocks and one part in the water going back and forth about 100 feet from the critter who turned out to be Ka'ena RO40. As luck would have it Barbara met a couple visiting from Spain, she explained about the seal below, and expressed her concern over the cargo net. The woman looked and said "Oh we can get that". She and the gentleman went down in very muddy conditions, Barbara watched closely, Ka'ena moved to the left notices the couple but isn't bothered.

These wonderful people pulled the net and brought it all the way up. Barb gave them a big hug and told them they saved a seal today!
Barbara then took it upon herself to pull the net further in the rocky cliff far away from the water so there is not chance of it getting back in.
Ka'ena sleeps in peace.
It was a good day, Barbara commented " I love a good day with good people, it's just MAGIC".

R353 & R3CU