MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 06/07/2020 Sunday Act-With-Care 75 Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, June 7, 2020

06/07/2020 Sunday Act-With-Care 75 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, HMSPO volunteer Diana S, and Marilyn.
Marilyn had a 10 seal day at Rabbit Island. Diane and I joined her this morning to catch a peek at PO5. We were able to spot 7 seals including PO5, but shortly after Diane and I headed out, Marilyn let us know three more critters arrived. It's exciting to see all that activity, but speaking from experience, trying to figure out who is who, sorting through all the photos and then putting together a report, takes a lot of time, patience and of course love for our beloved monk seals.

Also in yesterdays' news Marilyn came across RK90 (female from Kauai born in 2011) with a male companion. After reviewing her photos of the male she reported him as a UM. RK90 has been on Oahu before and seen on the west side.
To make the reporting process easy Marilyn numbered the seals starting from the left side of the island.
#1 - PO2 Momona hauled out from the inlet of LPB and ID'd by large weaner size and coloration
#2 - PO1 Kahukai hauled out onto LPB between PO3 and Mom & PO5.

#3&4 - Mom (Sadie) and PO5 day 3

#5 - juvenile female with two tags light belly and very green. Dark green under right eye suggest it is RK38 Hali'a/Lauloa (from NOAA's description when they were on Island with Pua and PO1)
#6 -subadult to adult male with two tags. Older coat and possible C scar on left belly which may be R1KT, but reported as UM.
#7 - juvenile female alone and never gave much to look at.

#8 - large adult with a newer coat, showed up and approached/harassed other seal in the SRI area. Seal rolled over sideways, Marilyn thinks it may be a male.
# 9 - Adult size with an older coat. Unsure of gender but had several interactions with Seal #8.
#10 - Adult size with lighter belly on the rock flats right of SRI. Marilyn thinks it may be a female but could not confirm 100%.

Team Billand checked the outfall close to 7 am. When they arrived there were two critters in the area foraging. They both went right of the jetty came back to the outfall and then back out and gone.
Team Billand left to check the area and found Ka'ale RH32 and Aukai RL12. Team Billand called the hotline to report and explain how busy the area was. They did their best to put up a SRA using rocks and sticks. Team Billand stayed with the two and did alot of educating with the crowds.
At 9:30 Aukai took off and Ka'ale followed behind. They went to the outfall once again and then returned only this time outside the zone.
BTW - Happy Birthday to Ka'ale who turned 4 years old !!!

Posse HMSPO volunteer Diana visited with PO4 Ikaika yesterday (Saturday). When she arrived he was checking out a leaf and quickly moved around to find some sticks. From there he founf himself some fishing line which had everyone holding their breath as they watched him play with it. Thankfully a coconut caught his eye and he safely got away from the fishing line. Volunteer on site was there to observe his interactions.

UM and RK90 Saturday on the east side