8/26/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: Rabbit Island, RG32, U/F, U/W, RH32, RN14, RO28, RR70, RL42

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn and posse pals Justin & Christine.

An email this afternoon from Justin & Christine noted they saw a smaller male monk seal today on "Buster flats" by Lanai Lookout on the Sandy Beach side. He noted the tag might be broken on the left flipper and they did not see any identifying marks.  (I know one of our critters has a broken tag but for the life of me can not think of who.)  ANY ONE have any suggestions? 

Marilyn went to Makai Pier for about two hours today, the overcast skies made viewing difficult and photos even worse. In spite of the poor conditions Marilyn did see four critters.

There was an unknown adult female (UAF) located about 60 feet left of the 1BS on left point beach. This seal appeared to be a post-weaning, post-molt female based on size, shape and female belly. Marilyn thought she spotted a line scar on the ventral side at the base of the RRF and three small line scars in the shoulder area. Her best guess is this is RL12 Aukai, but can not prove. This female entered the water about 11:39 and was not seen again.

Next critter reported as unknown weaner first spotted soon after she arrived. The critter was near the waterline just right of the 3BS. The seal entered the water about 10:42 and hauled out again at the same location about 11:27. Marilyn's best guess it is RK38 Hali'a but she never saw the belly and pretty sure this critter had tags.
RG32 was near the waterline with an U/F close to SRI (seal rock inlet). RG32 was ID'd by his applied bleach on the right side, male belly and 2 tags.
U/F unknown female looked to be juvenile to sub-adult size, relatively new coat, female belly and 2 tags. RG32 and UF were in the SRI area during her entire viewing time. They did moved closer and further away from each other from time to time. This female may be the same female that has been hanging with RG32 over the past several weekends.

Team Billand went to the outfall and several of the surrounding beaches this morning. When they got to the outfall there were two seals foraging. Bosom Buddies Kalani RN14 and Kaale RH32 were there and Kalani got Kaale to leave the outfall and swim to the open ocean.  

A couple of the fishermen had poles set up for big fish and big hooks, but the bosom buddies were busy fighting for about two hours going up and down the coast line, that they didn't take the bait. At 9:30 Ka'ale returned to the Outfall without his buddy RN14. Team Billand left the outfall at 10 am Ka'ale was still foraging with A LOT of fishermen out there today. A little to stressful to hangout and watch. 

Team Billand checked out KoOlina today where they found Pohaku RO28 and RIP RR70.  Looks like Pohaku has gained back some weight and RIP was content being by her side. Volunteers were on site and Team Billand left to check out other beaches.

Having checked several beaches Team Billand took a hike to Ka'ena west. There were lots of people out and about (everyone getting rid of their cabin fever). Lucky enough they did come across one seal, well hidden. It was RL42 Leia with both tags visible. She was in a water hole, alone and very peaceful.

unknown male seen from Lanai Lookout

 Rabbit Island U/A/F

 u/w

RG32 & UF

 RG32

Ka'ale RH32 & Kalani RN14

Pohaku RO28 & RIP RR70

RL42 Leia