MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 01/22/2020 Wednesday Monk Seal Dailies

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

01/22/2020 Wednesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Lesley. Lesley's update is part two of the dailies.

Team Billand arrived at KoOlina at 6:40 am this morning. They went looking to each Lagoon for Pohaku, and finally when they found her there were signs and ropes up. Volunteers were already on site and NOAA arrived there after. All the equipment was ready to go and Pohaku was in the shallows still logging.
A carefully planned approach to Pohaku using fencing as crowding boards. ** I just want to take this opportunity to explain that this process is done, carefully, and with the safety of the seal and the people involved. The NOAA Team is a group of experienced professionals and this type of activity falls under a federal permit. **
Barb described as one group approached from the left and the other from the right quietly. Pohaku became aware of them and reacted. The Team remained calm and slowly got her to move to the shore. The cage was ready and they were able to position the boards to get her to enter the cage.
She was then carried to a truck watered down and transported to the NOAA facility.

Meanwhile Team Billand was onshore educating the people who were gathering on shore. Melody was also on shore educating the public as well.
All while this was happening the humpbacks were tossing their pecs in the open waters.

Team Billand went to check a couple of locations after Pohaku was captured. At a westside location they found Kawena RH36 .She was to the right of seal inlet alone and snoozing. Her tags and scar on the corner of her mouth were visible. She later moved inland and went to sleep.

Kekoa Alii RK72 was to left on high rocks snoozing. He moved up a bit only after the waves came crashing over him

Next up was RL20 Kalua at about 11 am. He came in unexpectedly while Barb and Melody were talking story (seal story of course). He then galumphed up on lower rocks and went to sleep.

They spotted RN14 Kalani at noontime. He was on the rocks alone at a different location.

When they went back to check on the gang they found Nalu R3CX at 1:14 pm. He came in and landed by RL20. When it got really hot he dipped into the shallows, then came right back out on the rocks next to RL20 again.

Then at 2:20 pm they were at a different location and spotted a small seal. Tag 206 nickname Lina RL98. This area is quite busy but she was tucked away, so they didn't stay long.

Pohaku RO28