I'll start with Melody's update of Rocky RH58, since it started last night. It's probably easier to use Melody's own words, all I can say is I can understand her frustration all the way around. " Rocky showed up last night. I wasn't here when she arrived and I heard that she had quite the time trying to get situated on the beach. She tried to enter the coves 3 times before the crowds finally let her come up on shore. There was a party of almost 200 people right where she hauled out and they all wanted pics with the seal
:( I wasn't going to be able to come home until later in the evening so our security stayed with her (thank you Lars) and kept the crowds under control. She was called into the hotline numerous times, but they declined to respond but they did "advise". I should know better than to plan anything for a Saturday night 
Marilyn then headed to the pier to view Rabbit Island and found three critters on the Island. UM (unknown male) located almost immediately in front of the 1BS, adult size, lighter belly, 2 tags and no obvious scars or bleach marks. It's a good chance this is the same seal as yesterday labeled UM2.Next there was UJF#1 (unknown juvenile female) located about 70 feet Makapuu side of the 1BS. Juvenile size, very green belly, 2 tags.
That was not the end to Marilyn's day, she stopped by Sandy's on her way home and there was Right Spot R016. She was resting peacefully and volunteer was on site watching over her. She was ID'd by natural bleach on her right side, female belly and her upper chest wound scar. She is looking good and appears to be putting on weight.
Team Billand was out and about and found their first critter just before 8 am. There was RW02 PvKauai on shore on the sand resting. Team Billand called the hotline and checked on him several times during the day.Next up was to KoOlina where Team Billand found RH92. They spent almost two hours with her educating folks. It looked like she may have stayed overnight, as she was in the same spot. Security had made a zone and RH92 was resting peacefully. Her right side facial scars were visible, under belly cookie scars and applied bleach. Team Billand headed out and was happy to see a volunteer arrived.
At 1:45 Team Billand stopped off at another westside location and found RL42 Leia. The waves were rising fast and she was getting wet. Although her tags were not visible they did see the little scar on right side of head from a previous shark bite. Today she is
Last but not least Team Billand found Puna RK88 and Lei Ola RH48. Both seals were on the rocks resting, Puna moved closer to Lei Ola who was annoyed but tolerated him. Both seals were aware of the fishermen there, and thankfully the fishermen were all very respectable.
The waves crashed over them but they both hung in there.
Rocky after a rough night
Kaiwi & RK24
Rabbit Island UM
UJF #1
UJF #2
Right Spot R016
RW02
RH92
RIP RR70
RL42 Leia
Puna RK88
Puna and Lei Ola
Lei Ola
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2 comments:
I received such disturbing news over the weekend about Rocky's haul out on Saturday night. It appears that many many people took a strong dislike to her being on the beach. It was reported that several children took signage and used it to hit Rocky. On the other hand, several other people who were very upset and concerned were calling the hotline for help. When Lars (security) showed up he stopped this very bad behavior. Children were in the SRA and there is actually a sign that is broken from where the kids were hitting Rocky. The good outreach and response measures that took years to achieve seem to have been tossed aside. I'm very concerned that if, WE, the people who are suppose to be looking after seals, don't show concern or show up for response to talk to people on the beaches, not just to do an ID, then we will have lost the battle. If protecting seals at rest from harassment AND engaging the public in a positive way, is no longer a concern, then I would ask someone to revisit that decision. What was accomplished over many years of doing just that, made a difference for the HMS on Oahu. To see this behavior, coming back to our beaches, and the failure to engage community and the future children who should be protecting and learning about the HMS seems to be a vital missing piece to the recovery. The risk and possible injury to people and animals sounded like it could have turned out VERY badly for the kids and Rocky. There are supposedly 6 staff members that are suppose to respond to these events, especially if something so upsetting is happening. Why was there no response?
To say the least this is all very upsetting to hear that Rocky was being "harassed". I would be curious to what procedures are in place, who was called? was a report filed? did anyone get pictures? what was the advise given when calls were made?
There has to be more to this story I am hoping we can find out more.
I also want to qualify by saying finding out more would be a good opportunity to learn from an incident and not to attack anyone. Perhaps information wasn't properly relayed, again pictures would be great.
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