12/11/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand.  Along with Team Billand's daily update there was some sad news in monk seal news today.

I received a phone call this morning from one of my old contacts at Sea Life Park giving me news about Lamb chop's passing. By now you have seen all the news announcements and in case you haven't I'll provide a link.   Lambchop was truly an ambassador of the species having spent 30 years with visitors at Sea Life Park.  I know the SLP staff are going to miss her and I would like to pass my condolences to all the volunteers who spent endless hours of outreach at the park.
https://www.kitv.com/story/39626228/say-aloha-to-lambchop-hawaiian-monk-seal-at-sea-life-park-passes-away-at-32
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2018/12/12/monk-seal-that-spent-years-sea-life-park-passes-away/

Team Billand on their travels headed over to plains to see if sir Buster was around. They must have that special seal radar because as they arrived he was just hauling out AND the life guards sprung into action putting up a zone. Buster hauled out and rolled over showing his belly. He's about 25% from the neck to mid body. Man he's  slow molter. Team Billand called the hotline to update them.
They left after a bit to search for more seals.

When they arrived at a westside beach they spotted two seals. After waiting for a bit they finally for the tag shot to confirm RIP RR70.  The other seal, was a little more of a challenge to the right mid rocks on his side. After studying this critter for a bit it finally moved and they got the tag. RN14 Kalani. He moved to the water hole near by.  
As luck would have it there is a third seal coming in fast. Seal is smaller than the two males, and no real markers. Once again patience paid off they got the long awaited flipper flex and ID'd RH48 Lei Ola.

 Buster V08

 RIP RR70 

RN14 Kalani

 Lei Ola RH48

7-6-2014 Sea Life Park Inhabitants

Here is someone we don’t often see much about. We spent a few hours today doing outreach at Sea Life Park and got to hang out with Lambchop (who came right up to the fence to greet us). Her cooler of fish was near our booth and she decided to try some vocalizing to convince us to feed her. The new monk seal exhibit was drained of water but hopefully soon they will have it up and running. As we left sea life park we went across the street to check out the zoom on my camera and there was a tandem kayak making its way across to Rabbit Island. They went straight for the beach and got out. I couldn't tell if there were any seals (turns out my camera zoom isn't that great after all).   Trudy

 

 nice view!

Bad guys on Rabbit Island 

The Pu'uhonua Initiative

Aloha Good People!
Some of you may have seen this in the press already or will hear about it on the news.... HMSRTO is working with the Monk Seal Foundation on Maui to raise monies for our Hawaiian monk seals that need to stay in captivity. This Friday the Mauna Kea Galleries is hosting a special fundraiser to kick off this initiative.
We hope there will be many more in the future. If you would like to know more about the initiative and how you can help please go to the Monk Seal Foundations' website:  
http://www.monksealfoundation.org/Refuge.aspx

Mahalo for your caring.
da blog lady
Donna 
Donna Festa, President
Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team Oahu
www.HMSRTO.org

Yesterdays' News Sea Life Park Summer Camp

Liz Weske and I were invited to give a presentation to a group of campers at Sea Life Park on Thursday. We actually did two presentations, Liz took the lead with the kindergarten and 1st graders.... and then we both worked with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders. I think a good time was had by all.

 We have to say Tara at SLP did a great job prepping these kids because they not only knew alot about monk seals but gave me answers to questions that I didn't even know!

pay no attention to that woman... this is a re-enactment of a seal hauling out onto the sand

 thank you SLP and helpers - see you again sometime soon

Beach Clean Up Kahuku Monday 1/16/2012

Aloha good people!  First sorry this is last minute.... the good people at Sea Life Park called us very last minute and asked if anyone would be interested in participating in this beach cleanup!  I know Monday is a holiday, but if you have time think about helping out. It's all for a good cause especially since this is a popular haul area for out monk seals.  

Tara, Educational Manager at Sea Life Park will have a booth so make sure you go by and introduce yourself... 

Oh and one last thing... TAKE pictures and send them in so we can post on the blog!