8/4/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) RH32, RW22, 1KT/T37, RK24, Rabbit Island U/U and RG32, Kauai R8HL

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, Lesley, and our Pal Val! Lesley's complete Ka'ena Update is part 2 of the dailies.

Team Billand was out first thing in the morning to check the outfall where they found RH32 Ka'ale. There were quite of few fishermen out there today, many of the usual and some that were there to fish for the big catch using live bait. It didn't take long and Ka'ale was on it, he went for the live bait, and thankfully this particular gentleman knew to keep the line tight. Not giving any slack to line, Ka'ale was able to safely steal the fish (little buggah).  When the fisherman pulled the line there came the hook, and Ka'ale was in the water happily munching away. 


Apparently there was someone who wanted Team Billand to take the seal away. LOL can you imagine, okay Ka'ale come on, get in the car we'll go to another beach. REALLY?  The ocean is his home!  And Ka'ale wasn't going anywhere, he spent the entire day there. Team Billand left close to 3 he was still there. Hopefully he will stay out of trouble.

Team Billand did the Ka'ena West trek and did not find anyone today. Unfortunately they did see the fires burning at Makaha Valley and Waianae Valley. Our thoughts and prayers that everyone is safe.

Marilyn started her local Hawaii Kai seal check in the morning, and spotted a seal at the Blow Hole end of Sandy Beach from the lookout. When she got to Sandys she found RW22 Kolohe sleeping on the sand. He was ID'd by his natural white bleach behind his RFF. This is the same spot he was on Thursday evening. 

Marilyn checked a few spots and ended up by Pele's Chair she found two critters about 70 yards apart. The first seal she ID'd was 1KT/T37 snoozing in a small tide pool. His partial cookie scar, male belly, and tag were all visible.
A short distance away she found weaner neaner RK24 snoozing high up on the rocks next to a small inlet. He finally moved and made his tag visible.  Marilyn was joined by Gayle and Tony.  

Mrs. Whisperer spent some time at Makai Pier viewing Rabbit Island, it was frustrating to say the least ( and I can totally relate). Here is how it went, she saw at least 3 HMS and maybe as many as 5, and is unwilling to bet a cat on a total of five. 

She started viewing the island and there was a seal in the middle cliff area, another at Seal Rock Inlet and a third seal far to the right (Makapuu) side of the island. Soon after viewing the Middle Cliff critter disappeared. The about 20 minutes later a seal hauled out briefly to the left of the 1BS, but soon reentered the water. Then after another 20 minutes a critter hauled out to join the seal that was at the Seal Rock Inlet. ( this might be the same critter as the seal that was at Middle Cliff and the 1BS).
Unk #1 seal at the right end of the island, coloration and possible natural bleach on low left side, made her think it might be PO6, although it looked larger than weaner size. Having said that Marilyn is willing to bet one cat that it is a female.
RG32 (?) the seal was originally alone at the SRI had Marilyn really confused. She estimates it was a juvenile, but thought she was looking at a female belly until she saw an applied N32 on its back. And that would make it a male, but Marilyn still wasn't convinced she was looking at a male belly.
Unk #2 the critter originally saw in the Middle Cliff area, with not much to go on before it disappeared.
Unk #3 seal that hauled out briefly to the left of 1BS for a few minutes 
Unk #4 seal that hauled out to join the seal at SRI. This seal was larger than RG32, it has a very green belly, possible make ( not betting the cat on that).
It is VERY likely that Unk #2, #3, and #4 are all the same critter.

LAST but not least we have a great little story from our Seal Pal Val. I wanted to share because in it's purest form it's a very simple task that has the potential to have an impact on some very young interested caring kids.  
Our pal Val responded to a HMS haul out yesterday out at a beach near her workplace. When she arrived she found R8HL a young male snoozing the day away. She was looking for the best way to deal with the situation so she asked some beach goers for some assistance. Her helpers were a brother and sister team. Anders 2 y.o and Alyse 4 y.o. from Minnesota. And yes this family has seen the Hawaiian monk seal that resides in Minnesota Zoo, so they were eager to help.  Anders and Alyse helped make the BEST stick fence ever. Alyse went a step further when they ran out of sticks she and Val made big X in the sand, so people would know to keep away. R8HL was well protected in his SRA.  Val, Anders, & Alyse, my friend the seal whisperer would say "Ya Done Good!"

Ka'ale RH32 THIEF caught in the act

 fish is mine - all mine

 fire on the west side

 1KT/T37

 RW22 Kolohe 

Weaner Neaner RK24

Rabbit Island - RG32 & Unk #4

Unk # 1

 Unk # 2

 Unk # 3

Little Seal Peeps 

 X marks the SRA

A very safe and content R8HL