MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 4/19/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Thursday, April 19, 2018

4/19/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Team T&D. I thank them for their loyalty, dedication and continuous effort to provide information for all of you to enjoy. (Kudos to Lesley, Marilyn and all our Posse Pals). I know from the years of feedback people really appreciate keeping up with our cast of characters. Back to our scheduled update. :-)

Team T&D didn't head out to Ka'ena Point today because of the threat of bad weather so they came to the east side and found our ole boy Kolohe who turns 10 this year.... ( I think sometime in July). Kolohe RW22 was resting at eternity beach peacefully until a group of girls got too close taking pictures and selfies. Kolohe made it loud and clear by barking at them a couple times with a lunge to back off. Team T&D called the hotline to inform.

At 6:15 this morning Team Billand hit from Electric Beach, to Tracks to Nanakuli and Beyond. At one of the beached they checked out the jetty where the seals tend to forage. They saw three critters all coming towards the shore in a hurry, fighting along the way. The three landed, and to their shock one of them was Lei Ola RH48! She was on sand !!! Team Billand immediately sent text to NOAA. The other two critters Ka'ale RH32, and Kalani RN14. This is huge news and then RN14 was being agressive with Lei Ola and so was Ka'ale. They all reentered the water, flying out of the water, fighting, tails flying in air trying to get to her. Flippers were slapping, biting and lots of vocals.

Team Billand hurried to the next stop, where they met a fisherman who said the small seal go out to the Jetty where a man gives them fish. ( THIS IS a HUGE NO-NO!) Somebody got to go talk with this dude. Back in the car they went.

They arrive next stop and they spot the three seals fighting, Lei Ola in lead, head above the water, the two boys following her. Team Billand updated NOAA of their location. And as fast as this was all happening they lost sight of the seals.

Team Billand began to back track and upon arriving at a Leeward Beach they spot two critters fighting off shore. Conditions weren't great, gray skies and lots of glare. This went on for several hours and then finally the first critter to come in RW02 PvKauai and RN14 Kalani following close behind him. PvKauai came in but Kalani (little punk) lands in shallows and they fight. (I have to share this and I quote from Barbara " I wish I could fly my slippa at RN14. He is terrible to RW02".) Spoken like a true Mom! Finally PvKauai bites Kalani ( a real good one) forcing him off. But Kalani continued to lurk in the shallows. Kalani tries to go at him again but RW02 let him have it and RN14 took off. RW02 PvKauai rested, let out some loud bellows, and looked for RN14. Thankfully he stayed away.

Team Billand was off to their next Leeward Beach where they found a large seal on the rocks and it was RIP RR70. Lots of surprises today finding RIP and Lei Ola actually being on sand (even if it was for a minute). RIP must be eating well as he is looking huge.

After making multiple checks to different areas they found one seal on shore on the west side and a lady sitting in her chair close by. There was a little green pea critter sleeping alone, but not for long with a group of people coming. Turns out little Ka'ale RH32 has become very green lately. Team Billand advised the people to walk around but one person decided to walk right infront of Ka'ale. They called the hotline to inform them. Barbara spent some time talking with folks about keeping a safe distance and letting the seal rest. She ignored everything and got closer and closer. Then another group came and started taking selfies, Ka'ale woke up looked at them and then took off and was seen for the rest of the day.

Team Billands last stop they found Lei Ola sleeping alone and looking pretty tired. She had quite an adventure with the boys this morning. PvKauai was in the area but far enough away from Lei Ola that it didn't disturb their rest. ( Kalani RN14 is picking up where Benny left off, being the trouble maker)

Kolohe RW22