MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 5/10/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1)

Friday, May 11, 2018

5/10/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Canadian Posse Darlene, Team T&D, Lesley, and Marilyn. Big day and lots of pup pictures (of course). Lesley's update from today and yesterday are the dailies part 2 and 3.

I'll first comment by saying I made my way out to visit with Sister Moms and their pups. I had let Lesley know when I was on my way, on the road realized it has been at least 7-8 years since I been in that neighborhood. Certainly was a thrill for me to see the Momma's and their babies, but also super special to spend some time with Lesley. Then to my surprise I see Canadian posse pal Darlene, and if that wasn't enough of an Aunty Party, Tammy stopped by. I love my monk seal Ohana and was so happy to be out there today experiencing this wonderful event. Also I would like to say I had a little chat with volunteer Kelly and listen to her handle the few folks who had stopped by to check in on the Sisters. ( sorry I have no pictures of my own since my camera is on the fritz)

Okay back to out regularly scheduled dailies: Team Billand started out at 5 AM and spent two hours before finding a seal foraging doing 7 minute dives on the Leeward side. There was an applied bleach number on his back and spots on his mid back left side. They ID'd Kekoa Alii RK72, who eventually hauled up on high rock. On their check in late afternoon, Kekoa was still on site but had moved to the water hole chilling alone.

After leaving Kekoa, and a few hours later they were delighted to find RN14 Kalani alone, getting comfortable. He was partially dry and wet. He was easily ID'd by his applied bleach number and his cue ball natural bleach on right side. Of course Team Billand was looking for RH32 Ka'ale but didn't see him anywhere so they moved on and decided to trek Ka'ena Point from the west side.

On their trek they noticed a couple staring at something and they decided to check it out. There they found Lei Ola RH48, she was below on the rocks chilling alone. On the way out of Ka'ena they checked on Lei Ola again and she was getting hit by waves, which caused her to lift her hind flippers straight out. Her tags were visible as well as her nasty hook. She looks to be in good condition.

After their walk to the Arches and beyond, Barb starting thinking about RN14 and knew he would be the key to finding Ka'ale. So they quickly headed back and they see people, and spot two critters. Fortunately the people kept going and had no idea there were seals there. First they see RN14 and see the other seal but it is facing the ocean and really can't read any markers. Barb noticed a faint natural bleach spot on his right neck area. That's Ka'ale ! Team Billand immediately notified NOAA they had spotted Ka'ale with RN14, the location and the conditions.

A few moments later the volunteer hotline called Team Billand. Team Billand provided them the details of the location but also let them know both seals were on rocks and it wasn't a capture area. Volunteers were being dispatched immediately. Team Billand waited an hour and reluctantly left the site.
The good news is Team Billand did not see any hooks or lines in or around Ka'ales' mouth and he did not show any signs of stress. Hopefully he tossed them on his own, but it's our understanding NOAA does wants to xray him which will require a capture.

Team T&D (Tammy and Dave) went out to Ka'ena Point today and they found three critters all in different locations. First find RW02 PvKauai at Hidden Beach, then RO40 Ka'ena was by the runway, and RR70 RIP was out at back beach. After leaving the point T&D made a stop on their way home to see Luana & RL42 day care beach. I was thrilled to bump into my posse pal and the world's best custom cookie maker.

Canadian Posse Darlene was also visiting the pup site and it thrilled me to be able to introduce Tammy and Darlene. LOL It went like this Hey Team T&D, meet Team D&T LOL.

Marilyn took some time this afternoon to observe Rabbit Island from Makai Pier for about an hour and half. Marilyn found three seals west of the 1BS. There was an unknown pregnant female about 20 feet east of RL12 Aukai and PO1. She believes this is the same female she saw on 5/6/18. A guess without betting any cats, this is RB12 Sadie. Marilyn got a good look at her dorsal and ventral sides and she is LARGE.
RL12 Aukai and PO1 (Day 33) were nursing when Marilyn first

arrived. PO1 then decided to move closer to the unknown female who was aware of the pup and looked up at her a few times, but no negative behavior was observed. PO1 is getting big and has a uniformly light belly. Momma Aukai is now looking thinner.
Marilyn is suggesting that PO1's nickname be Hali'a which means fond remembrance, particularly of a loved one. (Beautiful) Many people have suggested that the pup be named after DB, but the pup is a female and there are no D's or Bs in Olelo Hawai'i. So Marilyn chose a name fitting for a female pup that honors DB's memory.
Marilyn made several pans of Rabbit Island's beach and at 1:00 noticed a juvenile seal hauled out from seal rock inlet. The seal did show it's belly for a while and it looked to be a female. Again best guess without any cats it could be RJ30 Wailea.

Marilyn had spent about an hour with Kaiwi RK96 and PO3 both early morning and then in the evening. Marilyn was informed that PO3 headed for the water multiple times today after Kaiwi led him up to the morning-glory grass area to snooze and rest. He repeated this behavior again in the evening. The other update was they also swam west of the SRA during the say but returned to haul out within the SRA ( they so smart).

Kekoa RK72