07/13/2021 Tuesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley and Team R&B💕.  Lesley's Ka'ena Update is part two of the dailies.  

Before we get into the business of seal sightings I want to take this opportunity to wish Robert of Team R&B a very Happy Birthday!  I also want to thank him for all his/their years of service and caring for the Hawaiian monk seals. The dedication, patience and big hearts they have shown over the years always amazes me.  I have so much love and respect for them.

Team R&B were out checking and went to see RL20 Kalua. They had a hard time getting any photos of the little dude, since it was overcast getting clear shots added to the difficulty.  Team R&B saw volunteers on site watching. Kalua RL20 was doing is usual routine foraging. RL20 never landed, even on another check at 5 pm, he was out there foraging, among the paddlers, swimmers and fishermen.

They spotted another seal on land, they hurried over and found Kolohe RW22.  There were a few tourist

who tried to walk up, but luckily Team R&B were there to give them the rundown on the rules. Team R&B called the hotline and explained exactly where he was located.

Team R&B left for other locations. They checked one area several times and saw no seals, they saw nothing. Upon one last check before calling it a day they found RH48 Lei Ola up on the rocks.  She was alone, snoozing and totally relaxed. 

Team R&B notified the volunteer that was with Kalua, that Lei Ola was there and exactly where she was on the rocks. Team R&B couldn't stay, they had to take care of some personal business.

RL20 Kalua

Kolohe RW22

Lei Ola RH48

dolphins

AS A SIDE NOTE:

There is a lot of social media news over the last few days about visitors touching/harassing monk seals.  There is plenty of comments and information on social media so I won't repeat it here. What I will say, our posse, and volunteers are out there doing their best to educate all kinds of people.  The State and Feds, have to get it together and work with all the flights coming in to EDUCATE everyone arriving. When they are given the agriculture forms they can run a film and basically tell the visitors the DO's and DON'Ts of visiting here.   Education will for sure make a difference, it won't eliminate the problem but I guarantee it will reduce the problem.   **** da blog lady*****