MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: April 6, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, April 6, 2019

April 6, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn.

Marilyn did not do her usual Ka'ena Point Hike today, since she was expecting a delivery, so she stayed close to home. She did a survey this morning of Sandys, Blowhole, Lanai Lookout, Spitting Cave, China Walls and Kokee Flats. The only critter she spotted was an UU foraging off spitting cave. The seal was doing 9 minute dives looked to be a subadult to adult size. There were no obvious scars or bleaches visible on the back or head. After observing for 45 minutes Marilyn reported the seal as an unidentifiable unknown.

Team Billand found RN14 Kalani at a westside beach at 9:30 am. He was alone on the rocks snoozing.
Later afternoon when Team Billand checked back RN14 Kalani had company. They were able to ID Kawena RH36. They two were together more inland on the rocks both sleeping.

Team Billand decided to do the Ka'ena West trek and found a new sign at the entrance.
At the 20 mark they were thrilled to find RO40 Ka'ena who was resting on his back on the rocks below.

When they were on their way out of the park Ka'ena was hit by waves and moved up where there could clearly see his transmitter, scar and applied bleach. He is looking healthy and in good shape.

On their way home they spotted a seal (or what they thought was a seal) and pulled over to see for sure. They waited to see if there was movement on the rocks and sure enough there was movement. It took them forever to get the tag shot but RL42 Leia cooperated. Once they got a positive ID they left the site so they wouldn't draw attention to her and she could rest peacefully.