July 20, 2019 (part 3) Announcing PO5

SO.... the big news of the day is we have a new pup on Oahu, PO5 was actually born late July 19th to Mom Pohaku.  Their location is undisclosed to help the volunteer manage the crowds. This is one of those times when we ask ANYONE who is out there to be courteous to the volunteers because managing a pupping site isn't always an easy job.  
Along with  all the adorable photos of Mom and pup I am going to include some viewing guidelines. Most folks know Pohaku usually gives birth on Kauai, so this is a new experience for her and the Oahu volunteers. My pal Val who had been waiting for her arrival on Kauai, has told me that Pohaku can be a very protective mother, and will charge anything she sees as a threat to her or the pup.


HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/viewing-marine-wildlife-hawaii
Hawaiian monk seals

• Stay behind any signs or barriers.
• Use the "rule of thumb" to determine a safe distance (if no signs or barriers are present)
  1. Make a "thumbs up" gesture and extend your arm straight in from of you.
  2. Turn your thumb parallel to the ground in your line of sight of the seal.
  3. If your thumb covers the entire seal, you are far enough away (about 50 feet or 15 meters).

• View from a distance. Use binoculars or your camera’s zoom for a close up.
• Do no disturb monk seals sleeping on the beach
• Never touch, chase, or feed. Animals are wild, unpredictable and protected.
• Limit viewing time to a few minutes.

How your actions can impact marine wildlife

Watching marine animals in the wild is an awe-inspiring experience, so it’s important to respect marine life and their habitats to ensure they are here for future generations to enjoy. Irresponsible human behavior can disturb animals, destroy important habitats, and even result in injury to animals and people.

Human activity might result in:

• Separation of mothers and their young.
• Disruption of migratory patterns.
• Disruption of social groups such as killer whale pods.
• Disruption of resting activities by seals, sea lions, and sea turtles.
• Interference in breeding and/or reproductive and rearing activities.

While viewing marine wildlife, your actions should not cause a change in an animal’s behavior. Individual animals’ reactions will vary, so carefully observe all animals in the vicinity. Assume that your action is a disturbance and cautiously leave the area if you observe any of the following unusual behaviors:

Welcome to the world PO5

 oh Pohaku! Your Kauai Ohana was waiting for you!