MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 05/16/2020 Saturday Stay-At-Home (54) Monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, May 16, 2020

05/16/2020 Saturday Stay-At-Home (54) Monk Seal Dailies

Aloha Good People,
Even though we are still under "stay at home" order, things are opening up, one of them being the beaches. The good news our posse is able to get out and about and gather information on their observations. Hopefully things will continue and volunteers can get out to the sites to watch over the pups.

Marilyn was able to view Rabbit Island from the pier for a few hours. Initially she found only two seals and about 15 minutes of observation four more seals arrived and finally an hour after that a 7th seal arrived.

Mom (unidentified female) and PO3 who was given the nickname Momona hauled out to left point beach. They moved up the beach and the pup was able to feed. Today makes 4 weeks since Marilyn first spotted PO3.

UJ (unknown juvenile) was first spotted about 40 feet right of the 1BS. The seal moved up and down several times showing it had tags but it's belly was too sandy to tell it's gender.

Unknown Male #1 hauled out about 20 feet right of the 3BS. Male was adult to subadult size, darker coat and two tags. Marilyn thought she saw a NB on the inside the hind flipper which would possible make this RG40 Holokai.

UU#1 and UM#2 were together on the waterfront rocks near seal rock inlet. UU#1 has tags, larger juvenile to subadult size.
UM#2 is adult size mottled male belly with two tags. It's possible there was an applied bleach on left side but Marilyn could not confirm if it was N11.

UU#2 was first noticed behind waterfront rocks. She never saw more than a silver light belly and the critter never changed position. Marilyn was hoping this is weaner PO1 who was given the nickname Kahukai.

Team Billand found RH32 Kaale alone today on the west side and he was NOT stealing any fish.

Team Billand went to check in on RL42 Leia and PO4. When they arrived a volunteer was on site and they noticed another little seal coming in. They were excited to see and ID RK40 Napua looking small but healthy. She made it up on shore and went to sleep. Mom RL42 noticed and initially did nothing, until she decided she didn't want her there anymore. Leia RL42 entered the water with the pup. Napua RK40 saw her coming and quickly made her way further up shore. Leia barked out at her and Napua left heading toward the point.

Team Billand observed two feeds on swim in rough water. The little one got rolled about with mom, but Leia being the good mom would bark calling out to her and the little one went right back to her.

Looks like this kid is a strong swimmer in rough water, showed no fear, caught the waves and rolled about, and managed to pick up a coral rock in it's mouth.

Late afternoon Team Billand saw Nalu R3CX hidden in high rocks. Thankfully his tags were exposed and they spotted his markers on the left side of his face and shoulder.

Mom and PO3