MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: R8HX/RK90 (f) 2011 Kauai

Friday, June 12, 2020

06/12/2020 Friday Act-With-Care (80) Monk Seal Dailies

Aloha good people, I hope you are all well and safe.
Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, Team T&D and Lesley. Lesley's complete Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies.

Team T&D were out today checking out Ka'ena Point. They pretty much covered all the same critters as Lesley reported with one exception. They got to experience for the first time seeing a turrle and seal on the same beach. On their walk back there was "Lady" basking on the beach.

Marilyn checked in on NO2 Nohea this evening. She was sleeping when she first arrived. When she woke up she made her way to the water where she was when Marilyn left for the evening. She was able to get a picture of her N2 applied bleach.

Team Billand found non other than Ka'ale RH32 foraging at the outfall. He went outside the outfall then came charging in chasing a school of fish into the outfall. This makes the fishermen very happy. Team Billand left while the boy was still foraging.

Their next find Kala RH76 who was alone. They ID'd her by her tags and applied bleach. Volunteer Melina joined them later on and they were both hoping for some activity from Kala.

Late afternoon they found RL42 Leia and RN14 Kalani hidden away at the cliffs.
Then they spotted Lei Ola RH48 with RF28 together on the rocks sleeping in peace. They got their tags.

2 seals and a lady honu

PO2 Nohea

N2 bleach

Ka'ale RH32

Kala RH76

RK90

RW02 and RK90 with company

RW02 PvKauai

Brown Noddy

RL42 Leia and RN14 Kalani

great shot of hind flipper! oh ya there a tag!

Lei Ola RH48 and RF28

Lei Ola RH48

RF28

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