MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 02/22/2020 Saturday Monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, February 22, 2020

02/22/2020 Saturday Monk Seal Dailies

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

So we have some REALLY big news to announce! Oahu has it's first pup, yes PO1 was spotted today on Rabbit Island. It is unclear who the Momma is, although we know who it isn't. May have to wait a few days for confirmation but my best guess, along with a few others, is Kaiwi RK96.
Also not sure, but this may be the first pup of the year, either way we are pretty dam happy.

Before Marilyn discovered PO1 on Rabbit Island she started her day with a hike out to Ka'ena Point.
Marilyn did the hike with colleagues Joanne & Paul, their first find was about 9 am and it was RW02 PvKauai at Hidden Beach. He was ID'd by dorsal scars, adult male belly and W77 tag. He was still there when they left at 12:30.
When they arrived at the point they found RO40 Ka'ena up near the naupaka on Back Beach. He was ID'd by his adult size, male belly and 054 tag. Later in the morning he galumphed down to the waterfront.

On the rocks by the main pool was RL74 Kami resting on the rocks. Then a larger seal entered the main pool and was immediately aware of RL74. He tried to approach her several times and finally hauled out and they were able to see it was Holokai RG40 by his G40 tag and natural bleach on rear flipper. He's all grown up and looking very healthy. He turns five this year.
Ad they were setting to jike back they came upon a seal on the runway, who was not there when they hiked out. This was RN58 Luana who was ID'd by the parallel line scars on her head and N59 tag.

When Marilyn returned to the east side she went to view Rabbit Island from the pier! And yes she was surprised to find a little pup. She did see a large seal on Rabbit Island on the 17th and 19th and it's possible it's the same seal. There were no noticeable CC scars and a fairly unblemished back. Initially Marilyn thought the pup was a dark shoreline rock until it moved! PO1 did move around move and appeared to nurse.

Along with Mom and pup there was an adult male about 70 feet Kailua side of 1BS on left point beach. No ID was possible, seal was asult sixe, mottled male belly and at least on tag on rear flipper.

Team Billand found three seals when they arrived at a west side beach. RG28 Lefty was sleeping on his side on lower rocks. He was next to Nalu R3CX who was snoring the day away, also on lower rocks. There was no interaction between the two during this visit.
Kekoa RK72 was sleeping on left high rocks and in a good spot as he was hidden. They did see his broken tag and scar on his face. Kekoa remained up there all day, alone and undisturbed.

While they were sitting watching the three critters, they spotted another seal coming in from the Waianae direction to the inlet. They were able to ID RN14 Kalani. He came right in looking around hauled up for a nap.

Team Billand left for a bit to check other locations, when they returned they found another critter had landed next to RN14 Kalani. They ID'd R3CU sleeping peacefully keeping dry in the hot sun. Nice to have him back hanging out.

Late afternoon and Team Billand's last sighting of the day was Aukai RL12 on a beach by the outfall.
They did see her yesterday in the area but couldn't get a good photo, but now they were able to get a tag shot. Her big beautiful self was resting but very alert. There were lots of kids running around by her and a few dogs in the area. Team Billand noted a volunteer was there taking pictures of her.

Mom and PO1