March 19, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team Billand.  They had quite an interesting day!

They started the morning checking out the outfall. Much to their surprise they met a very mellow "Boobie" bird.  He seemed to be okay, no discharge from nostrils, feathers okay, eyes clear and not afraid of Barbara. ( then again why would any critter be afraid of her).

Team Billand spotted two seal swimming in the outfall, once of them "could" be RN14 but not able to get a positive ID.  The seals took off so there wasn't any time to get any additional information.

At 7:30 Team Billand spotted Kalani RN14 coming in to one of the westside locations. He looked at the rocks, hauled up and stayed. His applied bleach was visible.

Next stop at 9:30 at a different westside beach they found RW02 PvKauai already on shore. They notified the hotline. When they returned to this site at the end of the day he was gone.

At their 3rd westside stop at 10:00 they found Kekoa RK72 on lower rocks snoozing alone. He barely moved (must be tired fighting off the high surf). He was gone on their 4:10 check.

Just before noon Team Billand they arrived at another westside beach and spotted a seal in between rocks, but the tide got to him. The good news is they got the tag shot and natural white flippers, cookie on right side. In a flash the seal was gone, went out to forage. They ID'd RG28. 

Afternoon check at the usual hot spot they found a fat seal draped over the rocks to the right. They spotted a scar in the corner of her mouth and a glimpse of the tag. Lo and behold it was Lei Ola RH48.  She is looking big and healthy.

Between 12:30 and 3:30 Team Billand headed over to plains. There was a seal on shore and signs were up. They could see it was a female, and turns out to be the same female they spotted the other day on the westside.  What makes this so special, well as of right now she is not only new to Oahu but seems the PIFSC office couldn't find her in their database.  Where did she come from? Who knows?  Team Billand called the hotline and took lots of photos to document her markings for the NOAA/PIFSC to further investigate.  This is what we know about this Unknown Female: she has a ding on right shoulder, cookie scar mid belly, large cookie scar by ankle, natural bleach on left side, no tags, scars by left fore flipper, scar on side jaw, and line scar on left face. 
( I just have to say, this would be one of those moments where DB would be beyond thrilled!)

 UU foraging in the outfall

 Boobie stretching its wings

 LOOK at this beautiful creature! 

RN14 Kalani

 RW02 PvKauai

 Kekoa

Lei Ola RH48

 RG28

Unidentified Female - Who are you?