MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 5/13/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Sunday, May 13, 2018

5/13/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn and Lesley. Lesley's complete update on the pup pen is part two of the dailies.

Team Billand headed out early and on one of there stops near the outfall area they saw a seal swimming by, and unfortunately wasn't able to get an ID. There were people in the area getting into the water to snorkel and that was that, they lost sight of the critter.

Next check in they found Kekoa hauled out on the mid high rocks and settled in. His N2 bleach number was very visible. He galumphed to one water hole, to the next and then decided to rest.
On their recheck he was gone, but they did see him off shore foraging doing 6 minute dives.

It's no surprise that Team Billand (mostly Barbara) would be worried about RH32 Ka'ale, so she did a fast hike Ka'ena West, when she really should be getting ready for her Mothers Day Lunch with her family! She hit the 20, 30, and 40 marks and didn't see any seals, so she headed back. On the way back she rechecked some of the spots with binoculars and there was a critter. RH32 Ka'ale was resting on the rocks and getting hit by waves, Barbara is sure he wasn't there on her way in. She checked as best she could and still can't see the fishing line or hooks, but still worry. Ka'ale was facing away from her so not a good clear look at his little mug.

Last stop of the day on the West side Team Billand spot one seal sleeping mid rocks and thinking it was Kekoa, they were wrong. It's now RN14 Kalani. Waves were washing over him a couple of times, and he just lay there, motionless and not a peep out of him. They sat for about 45 minutes and noticed another seal foraging and were able to ID Kekoa. Perhaps RN14 was the U/U swimming by the outfall earlier in the day. (so much for rushing to meet the family !!)

Marilyn was out at the Pier viewing Rabbit Island from about 12:15 to 2:30. When she arrived she found Unknown Mama & PO6 on Left Point Beach where they have been since PO6 was born on Friday (5/11). The pup is very active, although there wasn't any sustained nursing. A wayward buoy with the words "swim area" floated past Mom & pup and then seemed to stall near the 2nd Blue Sign. Marilyn reported the buoy to the DLNR.

Out on the rock flats left of Left Point Beach I saw weaner PO1 Hali'a. She was only partially visible but due to size and coloring it's for sure it's her.
During Marilyn's visit she scanned the entire shoreline periodically and then at 1:03 when she saw a critter. This was a subadult male to the far right side of the island. A lighter-colored male belly was clearly visible, and being labeled as "subadult" based on size".

Marilyn checked in on Kaiwi RK96 and PO3 from 6 - 7 am and then again from 5 - 6:30 pm. When she arrived this morning Kaiwi and PO3 were up close to the naupaka. Soon after Kaiwi started for the water and PO3 was still snoozing, but a bark from Mom woke him up. Kaiwi entered the water at a steep dropoff shown in one of the photos. PO3 made the grade !
When she returned in the evening Kaiwi and PO3 were on a rock flat, but outside the SRA. Apparently this is day two of going outside the zone. Oh boy let the fun begin!

Kekoa RK72