MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: July 27, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, July 27, 2019

July 27, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn. A late email from Justin T. from his dive today!

Team Billand arrived at the pupping site at 5:30 am, a little earlier today and when they arrived there were already footprints in the zone. (maybe happening overnight). Seals were up on shore snoozing, and then Nanea was awake and ready to go. Mom barked out and she came back.

Mom and pup went in the water near the rocks for over an hour and a half, with the pup popping up to sniff out the rock crevices, over and over. At times waves came over rocks and poured over pup who got excited. Mom would hang out with pup to reassure her she was safe.

Pup took off, Mom barked and the kid kept going, Pohaku went over and they both swam near the fence. It looked like they were going to haul out outside the pup zone, so everyone moved their things. Nice to have everyone cooperate.

At 9:30 a third seal came in slithering, Team Billand couldn't get a good shot. They were able to rule out Benny, RN14, and RG28. Pohaku charged the U/U one time and the seal took off.
As if there wasn't enough to do, or excitement Team Billand collected a bucket of box jelly fish, which helped keep people out of the water.

Team Billand left about 11:45 for a break. They returned at 1:50 pm and mom and pup were sleeping. Once again the pup suddenly wakes up and headed for the water.

This time it turned and came back on it's own. At one point both Mom and pup were in the water and were out of site. Team Billand and the volunteers on duty were checking the are and keeping people back.
Finally they spotted Pohaku hauling in and heading up by the Naupaka. Nanea showed up while Pohaku was calling out. Geesh this kid is really independent.
Once they were all settled in Team Billand left at 3:30 to take junior sealette Olivia home.

Marilyn had a busy day on her Ka'ena trek today, a total of six seals.
The first seal of the day was R330 Squinty on the Lyman Beach. He was ID'd by the line scar on his forehead, NB inside his RFF, male belly and no tags. When she checked on the way out he had moved down a bit but still in the neighborhood.

At 10 minute beach she found RK88 Puna, looking very green. He was ID'd by size, scar on his neck and his green coat. On the way out he was still at the same location.

The third seal of the day was RN58 Luana on the waterline at hidden beach. A local fisherman said she had been there yesterday, overnighted and still there this morning. She was ID'd by her female belly, N59 tag, and parallel line scars on her head. On the return in the after noon she had moved and now was in the company of R333.
On Marilyn's hike out R333 was ID'd by applied bleach "10" and a number of CC scars. Today he had a fishing line coming out of the left side of his mouth. They informed the hotline who was already away and had volunteers looking for a reported hooked seal.

When R333 had joined Luana she was not thrilled and there was an interaction between them. At one point his mouth was open and Marilyn was unable to see a hook. Marilyn met up with the volunteer and was told NOAA was planning a response. (hopefully they can get to him today).

There were no seals on the Main Beach or Back Beach in the NAR. On the way back to the parking lot she came upon da Benny on the reef in BG's pool, He was ID'd by his face scar, E40/42 tags. A nice surprise since he was hanging out with Pohaku and pup yesterday.

And the last but not least among the rocks at birth beach (tables) there was RL20 Kalua snoozing.
Looks like he is using the rock for a pillow. He was ID'd by his L20 tag and applied N17 bleach.

Just as I was starting the blog this evening an email from Posse pal Justin and Christine arrived with photos of a UU they spotted while scuba diving today on the west side. They called the NOAA hotline to report. This was about noon time in about 3 to 20 feet of water. They could not see any clearly defined characteristics or it's gender or tags. The seal overall appeared to be in good condition with no wounds, hook, lines protruding from it's mouth.

Pohaku and Nanea - look at that FACE!