MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: November 23, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, November 24, 2019

November 23, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn.

Marilyn did Ka'ena Point solo today and although the weather looked threatening it improved once she reached Hidden Beach. Marilyn didn't see a critter until she arrived at the NAR. First critter was RL12 Aukai near the large black rock. She was ID'd by her adult size, female belly and L12/13 tags. She is looking large and fairly green.

On the coral rubble beach near the main pool, Marilyn spotte RL74 the recently arrived weaner from Molokai. Her newly applied black N74 bleach showed up well. The applied number made for an easy ID.

RO40 Ka'ena was up next to the naupaka on back beach. His new coat looks good and his multiple natural bleach marks were visible. He was ID'd by male belly, O54/O55 tag. It appears his dorsal cookie scar is getting smaller with each molt. Even though he has molted the patch from the transmitter is still visible. Ka'ena later moved down to the waters edge and was joined by Squinty R330.

Marilyn first became aware of Squinty when he galumphed into the main pool about 10:05. He did a quick survey and went back out to the outer pool. At about 10:30 he came back up into the main pool and did another circuit and left again. It was about 10:40 when she saw him swimming in to back beach where he came near RO40 Ka'ena. There was not much interaction between the two.

Once Marilyn completed her hike she checked birth beach/tables and Camp Erdman. There se found RW02 PvKauai. He appears to have finished his molt, but it was difficult to see his whole coat. His coat is very dark and was ID'd by his W04, W76/77 tags.

Team Billand found Miss Pohaku RO28 at one of the old haul out locations. She was on Kermits Reef a sleep. For all purposes she looked okay and on her side.

At another west side location they found three seals.
First up was RH76 Kala was on lower rocks, RIP was on lower rocks with Kala.
Both were there all day.
Along with the two the came across Kawena RH36.

Team Billand left for lunch and while reviewing their photos they noticed a line coming from the left corner of Kawena's mouth. They headed back to the site and volunteer Melina and Kathy had been there and Barb didn't know if they had seen the hook.
Team Billand called the hotline to report the hooking, and Meliba returned. They both studied Kawena and they could not see a hook, only the line.
Additional volunteers arrived and later Brenda from NOAA arrived to check.
Team Billand had to leave at 3:45 and was told Kawena left before anything could be done.

So fingers crossed Kawena will haul out tomorrow on a sandy patch and the NOAA team can get to her and determine her situation and how to best proceed.

Aukai RL12 ( looking large marge)