MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 6/12/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1 )

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

6/12/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1 )

It is never a good day when we lose a beloved monk seal, especially a young female. But today's news is not just about losing a seal, it's about an unjust way this poor animal had to die. There are so many things that we can not control, but this can be, it's senseless, no goo reason. Such a shame that someone felt the need to kill such an innocent creature. I am sure many of you have heard or read the story already, but if you haven't here is the link to the news story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oP7YfbsmE I would also like to let my dear friend Diane on Molokai, we are with you.

Back to our regularly scheduled dailies, which I hope some of todays sightings will make some of you happy. Lesley's complete update is part two which shows the cousins playing, a Holokai sighting and a Luana sighting. And if that doesn't make you feel a little better RW02 was hanging out with a Honu.

Team Billand had a really good day with their sightings too!
Today they spotted a big seal from afar and folks were just walking past. Barbara walked over to the site and ID'd Pohaku RO28. Barbara was ready to approach the people, but she spotted a volunteer on site, so she knew Pohaku was being observed. Pohaku looks to be in good condition, full figured no new markers.
Team Billand rechecked her in the afternoon and she was still on shore with lots of people around.

Team Billand's next find at a Leeward Beach. Upon arriving they spotted a seal to the right snoozing alone one the rocks. Kekoa Alii RK72 with his applied N2 bleach number showing.

The big news of the day came when they arrived on a Westside Beach. After many long hours of searching, going from beach to beach and walking Ka'ean West, they did their route one more time and to their DELIGHT & RELIEF they found butt-head RH32 Ka'ale and RN14 Kalani together.
They first heard Kalani vocalizing so they ran over and there he was and there was butt-head!

The boyz were having a frolic in the rough surf, landing, diving and climbing over each other. In the end Ka'ale ran from Kalani. He landed on the rocks, to which Kalani went crazy looking for him.

Ka'ale is looking very healthy, no sign of hook or line. During his romp with Kalani, Barb had a good view of his mouth and didn't show anything, not even a cavity :-) After 5 long days of searching this had to feel really good! Team Billand didn't stay long because some people were around, and they wanted to make sure the boyz were not disturbed.

And lastly, I managed to spend just under two hours at the pier today. Conditions were fair, clear but surf was a wee bit rough. Initially I spotted to lumps on the far left side of the Rabbit Island, and by the size I knew it was Sadie RB12 and about 10 feet to her right was another lump, who I thought was PO6. As it turns out, PO6 was hiding behind Mama Sadie, and the lump turned out to be weaner RK38 Hali'a . Other than the pup moving out from behind Sadie and Hali'a galumphing a few feet to the right exposing her belly they did not move.
On a pan to the right about 20 feet left of the 2BS there was a large lump, I would say an adult with a brown coat. It's coat was completely dry and it did not move enough to give me a clue if it was a male/female or had any markings.
As far as observing Rabbit Island from the Pier, I am enjoying the time out there, feeling very close to my buddy DB. I still marvel that he was able to ID these critters, but I suppose after years and hours you learn what to look for.

Pohaku RO28