Marilyn spent some time this morning at the Pier. She spotted four monk seals right away. RL12 Aukai and PO1 were about 40 feet to the left of the 1BS near the water line on Left Point Beach. PO1 was nursing and continued to do so for about 10 minutes after she arrived and then immediately went into snooze mode. The pup's belly shows a wider area of solver gray than yesterday.
To the extreme left of Left Point Beach I found a large female seal near the inlet. Marilyn thinks this seal is pregnant because of her large size and rotund shape. Mrs. Whisperer best bet is Sadie RB12, but it could also be RK60 Nani. NOAA gives predicted birth due dates Sadie 5/20 and for Nani 6/3.The fourth critter was out on the rock shelf to the left (Kailua side) of Left Point Beach. This seal was ID'd as RN46 Kea by his make belly and wonderful large natural bleach on his RFF.
Marilyn checked in on Kaiwi RK96 and PO3. Upon arrival Kaiwi and pup were already in the water. Soon after they hauled up on the rocks and went into snooze mode. Later in the afternoon on a recheck they were further up to the morning glory grass patch near naupaka. Marilyn observed at least one nursing during the afternoon.
Team Billand spotted three critters hanging out together on a Leeward Beach. They identified RN14 Kalani, RK72 Kekoa and Benny RE74. Kekoa and Kalani were together on the left side. Benny was on the right side on the lower reef's edge alone resting on his belly. They checked through out the day and later in the afternoon they spotted another seal in the shallows. They spotted Ka'ale in the shallows, Volunteer Melina was on site, Team Billand was told to stay away don't go near the seal, that NOAA was on their way. Curious thing to tell Team Billand, since their the folks who reported RH32 as being hooked, and they have been monitoring seals for 11 years, and know the drill. Barbara observed a copper looking swivel, with heavy line and a light line coming from left corner of mouth. There is a second hook a small damashi right corner of mouth with light line trailing.
At the end of the day, NOAA was able to eliminate an entanglement issue with almost 10 feet of line. I am sure they will be back out there to check on him. The small damashi most likely can come out on its own. It's unclear what is going on if there is a hook that was attached to the heavy line. I'm sure NOAA Team and volunteer group will be coming up with a strategy. In the meantime Team Billand will be out pounding the sand updating them on their sightings.
Aukai & PO1
Unidentified LARGE female
Kea RN46
Kaiwi & PO3
Kekoa & Kalani
Benny
Ka'ale RH32
stay low he won't see us
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3 comments:
Just a volunteer following escalated outreach protocol and instructions per NOAA to ask any and all bystanders to stay FAR back for this hooked seal, specifically "so there would be no scent or sight of any people". This also included myself, two ladies and a man living on the cliff.They told me the same thing to stay way back until NOAA arrived so the seal would remain in place and I also have been doing this for 11 years, so it is normal to hear the protocol stated. Now, for the urgent matter, after a day and half of searching by Barbara B., myself and another volunteer Karen K.(not sure if anyone else was out) and after many pit stops back and forth, so glad RH32 hauled out and did not depart after several hours sleeping at edge of water and rocks and was helped a bit in that blazing hot rocky area. Ya never know if a seal will leave right before help arrives. It all worked out. Thank you NOAA and HMAR staff for getting it handled on a Sunday afternoon, of all days.
I read and reread your comment .
I would like to say, the homeless guy was weird, and was there all day long in that rock hole, NEVER ONCE GOT CLOSE TO ANY OF THE SEALS. He was harmless, but weird.
The two ladies are always respectable to the seals and were your friends. We talk all the time while seals are there. They are good folks.
For me, I was the SAME AS YOU, worried for Kaale after seeing him hooked. But I do know the rules, I never ONCE got close to him at all. I sat there anxious on the rocks as I do EVERY DAY for 11 years..keeping watch on the animals. I would be an idiot to interfere with the animals safety...I sat there wondering, if help would come in time as yes, seals will LEAVE. But he was resting nicely in the shallows.
I am most grateful for THEA, who kept focused on Kaale's trailing line, managed to cut a bunch of line off so Kaale can move better. For me, I dont know what the copper swivel was about, weather it was attached to another hook or something. I didnt notice the other hook, the damashi until I got another shot of it, on his right side of mouth. But I do think that may fall off.
We all worked hard, looking, at many spots where Kaale goes, we all tried to help him out by LOCATING him through the long day of searching.
I even told you earlier in the day, Kaale will come here, RN14 is here, he is Kaale's Buddie, He looks out for Kaale all the time for months. He will come here. And KAALE DID come...that is awesome.
So its always the WAITING TIME for Noaa to come that is stressful...as we all want the seals to be helped if hooked. We dont want the seals to LEAVE and Kaale didnt.
So now, the hunt is on again, we search from beach to beach multiple times for Kaale...he was a no show for us, to our disappointment.
Maybe tomorrow, someone will find Kaale and get help for him. We have to unite, work together, FOR THE SEALS, its about THEM...keeping them safe from HARM.
Good luck to all in the search...come on Kaale...show up!!
Hi Barbara, first off, thank you for also being out there searching for RH32 each day and calling in the report of RH32, fishing line and possible hook.
When I arrived and saw RH32 sleeping in the shallows, I called him in, and the instructions/protocol were stated to me. As the few people appeared, we all were above the rocks and a safe distance from hooked seal, and as you recall, it was not said that anyone was going close to the seal at all. Everyone was briefly alerted that the hooked seal was below and that NOAA was on their way to help and that NOAA asked that each person around to be up and out of view (yes, we all know to stay back, but the protocol is still shared with all equally). The instructions were followed through as given. We all waited and hoped Ka'ale would stay put and thankfully he did.
Between all of us searching, getting photos and reports, and any beach goers who may see him, hopefully he will haul be on sand soon so we can get him more help. Thanks to all for helping in the search so far. It is a team effort, and very possible to locate him on sand.
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