7-5-2012 DB's Dailies:M&M,Pup (D#23)@RI, Kaiwi@SC&LL, Buster@SC&KK, Irma@HB, Rocky@Waikiki

At 0548 I found M&M (R020)& Pup (D#23) at Rocky Right Beach, on Rabbit Island. They began high on the beach in the wee early hours, but spent the bulk of the day out of my line of sight. The rising afternoon tide got them to move up, allowing me to see 1 feed and a snooze.

At 0711 I found Kaiwi (RK96) doing 6 minute dives at the ladder at Spitting Cave. It would be a brief encounter. She moved around the point at 0721.

At 0730 Buster (RV08) suddenly appeared off the big rock at SC. He was still there, doing 6-8 minute dives when I departed at 0910.

At 0753 Dera called with the report of an animal on the piece of sand behind the parking lot at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. (the surf spot is Rock Piles). Dana called at 0803 to confirm the Rocky (RH58) ID. Thank you Karen for being on it and for sending the shots. Rocky would depart, heading west at 1033.

I did a Kokee Flats check at 0950, and found Buster just hauling out to Irma's Grotto. Unfortunately, there were lots of people there, but after speaking with them, all gave Buster some distance.

At 1330 Martha called from Hanauma Bay to advise that Jack at da' bay had reported an animal newly arrived to the left side rock flats. When I got down there at 1350 to my surprise I found Irma (R010) snoozin' on the rocks. Her location, while on the left flats, was for the first time I've seen, 100 ft east of the fence. HB personnel have closed off the entire flats area with temporary fencing so she was still in a controlled area.

At 1425 I found Kaiwi (RK96) snoozin' at Lanai Lookout. The rising tide was making life there a little bit wet.

Team Billand was skunked again today in the SW quadrant, but did a visit with KP2, now 4 years old, at the Aquarium today. They have been reading the new book, The Odyssey of KP2, by Terri M. Williams (as have I), so they just wanted to say , Hi ! to an old friend.

Brenda Becker came through again with a shot from her childhood in the Monk Seal biz, showing T21M as a young lad in 1988. His signature forehead natural bleach over the right eye , is clearly visible.

  Rocky @ Waikiki (Hilton Hawaiian)

 Buster @ Kokee Flats

 

 T15M Laysan, with T21M sooo another of the Laysan Eight identified.

 Kaiwi @ Spitting Cave

 and then........

 Kaiwi @ Lanai Lookout

 Look out Kaiwi!

Irma @ Hanauma Bay

 Irma is a big girl... but question is.... is she or isn't she with baby

 Her due date is anytime... however she did deliver about 3or4 days after R5AY

Yester-Year: T15M in the Beginning

THANK YOU Brenda!!  These photos are great!!!!  Amazing to see T15M so young.... Reminds me of the photo Tracy sent me of Chester a couple of years ago when he was a mere young en.... it was dated in 87 too.  I know they were both part of the Laysan Eight that were transl-located from the NWHI.

Actually, Brenda or Tracy any information, stories you can share especially about these photos would be greatly appreciated.  Who were the Laysan Eight.... Chester, T15M, 2AW... and ?????

For the rest of our readers enjoy the snapshots.

6-27-2012 Sharkbite's Send Off

Aloha Good People!
Below are some words shared by Barbara Billand along with Team Billands' photos.... I am also including some photos KathySagum shared as well.  I think you will all agree the special spirit that gathered tonight to honor T15 Sharkbite.  Personally I was not able to attend.... So I am grateful for everyone sharing their experience.... I do believe the love and care we have for our monk seals bonds us all together. I also want to say I am sharing the images and words with the utmost respect for Sharkbite's memory and everyone who attended. 

As I sat on shore, I felt this great urge to make a sand sculpture of Sharkbite in his memory. Well, the waves and wind took care of the sculpture and thats ok...it was for his spirit.
Folks started arrivng around 5:30pm...most everyone there by 6pm or just after.
Mat and La akea were the Hawaiian Practitioners who did the ceremony...

And Mr. Schofield explained who ever wanted to spread ashes of Sharkbite to come forward Man I was up and ready....I never expected that...not in a millions years. I cried to have this awesome opportunity TO TOUCH OUR BELOVED SHARKBITE...TOUCH HIS SOUL. Oh my god...I was in Heaven with his spirit going through my body. It was pure emotions all coming out of me...and I was so proud, NOAA and Mat and La akea asked us to be a part of this ceremony. Rob was busy opening the gates for the visitors coming in...I was looking for him as I wanted him to be a part of this too. I thought he was going to miss this...but then he finally came back to shore. I asked Matt if one more person could help with the ashes...AND ROBERT MADE IT....I saw his face...his reaction to be apart of Sharkbite with me and the others.

ANd then Matt asked if anyone wanted to speak of Sharkbite...no one raised their hand...So I came to speak...It was so over whelming to talk of him...my hero. But for some reason, all the words came pouring out of my mouth...It was so spiritual. I really didnt care how I looked, or who was there...Sharkbite....thats who mattered to me and Rob.

Time for spreading of ashes...I was the first to stick my fat hands into Sharkbite...all I could think of WOW..THIS IS SHARKBITE, I am holding his spirit, his soul. Oh my god. I bent down in the water, gently releasing Sharkbite...wow, wow....I just cried and cried. I bid him farewell...one by one each person got to do the same...even Rob.

The next thing..Matt asked Rob and I to release all of the ashes, make sure that bag was emptied completely. Well, at first it was easy, then for some Reason, Sharkbite didnit want to let go...We waited for the waves and finally....Sharkbite was FREE FREE. Wow...Wow...Rob and I let Sharkbite go...it was the greatest feeling I have felt...truly amazing

The other volunteers that came by were June Kawamata, Kathy, Nelson, Leslie, Diane G., Karen Turner, Vera and son, Brenda Becker...I was thrilled to see her..she said she met Sharkbite in the 80's, North Western Hawaiian Islands. She says she misses him alot.  Audrey and husband, all the Aqua Crew and Kids, Dera, David, Kimo, and more...I forget, sorry.

I will never ever forget this Ceremony, NEVER. Being apart of something so big......is quite extraordinary!!!!!!!! I will always feel Sharkbites soul, as HE WAS MY HERO...He said....NEVER GIVE UP.....
Farewell T15M, B

photos from Kathy

Reminder Sharkbite's Blessing Today

Aloha good people,   Just want to remind everyone that this evening at 6 PM Sharkbite's ashes will be returned to the ocean at white plains. I encourage any one who can attend to do so.... this old dude deserves a farewell and appreciation.  I personally will not be able to make it, since my life has been consumed by trying to open a new business.  My heart will be there.... and I will be thinking of all of you.

So Long - T15M aka Sharkbite

Today's news about the death of T15M aka Sharkbite made many of us stop and pay tribute in our own quiet way to this remarkable animal. DB and the Billands probably have spent the most time with him while he was on Oahu... and I know they were all hit hard with today's news.  So to my friends I send you hugs of support. 

When I got the call this morning, I knew this was a big loss to many.... The decision to put him down did not come easy... but the folks at NOAA and the veterinarians realized that the infection he had would for sure cause his death, the most humane thing for them to do was to put him to rest instead of having him suffer any longer. This is never an easy decision, and suffering the loss of one of our seals is always hard with a limited number of seals in existence. 

To all the volunteers, and professionals that were involved in his care for the last couple of weeks.... I thank you and in behalf of all of us.... thank you for your dedication and giving the old boy the care he deserved.

I only spent brief moments with this amazing seal.... he is one of the elders in our seal population.... and despite his amazing survival skills, living his life with limitations there is an irony of having fish hook be the reason he had to die.... I am somewhat relieved he lived to be in seal life an old man....  He is part of a generation of seals that are responsible for the population growth on the main Hawaiian Islands.... so who knows which one of our cast of characters is actually his offspring. Good bye Sharkbite... make sure you let Chester know that we're still fighting the fight.

Here are some photos of Sharkbite from DB's archives

 He survived this .... of course he was much younger and stronger back then

Hooked Seals Recovering @ Aquarium

(photo from Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Team facebook page)

Aloha Good People!  I am sure many of you caught the news about our hooked seals. It's been a busy and challenging week for all involved.  T15M aka Sharkbite swallowed a hook, thanks to the Billands making the find and calling it in... he was brought in for examination. 
Shortly after his arrival to the aquarium a call came in from Kauai of another hooked seal RK36.... arrangements were made and he was flown into Oahu.  
Both these seals had their hooks removed... RK36 removal was done through a non surgical procedure... and T15M required more extensive surgery.  At the moment they are both in serious but stable condition and their recovery will take a couple of weeks, so we need to be prepared for anything.  


I also want to compliment and send out a huge "GREAT WORK"  to everyone involved... of course the NOAA team, Coast Guard, Vets, Kauai Team and our HMSRTO volunteers... who have been getting the pools ready and keeping a close watch on the patients.  As more information becomes available I will post.

5-7-2012 T15M aka Sharkbite Snagged with a Hook

Today was another busy day for the NOAA team who responded to a call from Team Billand. This is another example of great team work and how when a seal is in trouble a well executed plan comes together.

Photos are from Barbara Billand.... since these photos show the NOAA response team dealing with T15M these photos fall under the NOAA permit 932-1905.

 T15M is confined in a tempory pen to get a closer look at the line

 once they determined the line had been swallowed, they decided to bring him into the Waikiki Aquarium for  an x-ray

 This is no easy feat... carrying a 400 or so pound animal on the sand.... lets just say the cage weighs about 75 pounds...

Stay tuned for updates as soon as they are available.

4-23-2012 DB Dailies:Irma@SB, Buster@RI, RIP,Noa&Kerby,Benny&1UU@Maili Pt, Makaiwi&T15M@WP, Kermit@KR, KC@Rocky Pt, Ewa Girl&Kekoa@RR, RI37@Mokuleia

At 0546 I once again found Irma (R010) waiting for me at Sandy Beach. This is the 3rd day of her 3 day, 2 night , overnighter package. I redid the cordon and she has snoozed all day.

ASt 0956 I found Buster (RV08) on the water front rocks, 60 ft left of Seal Rock Inlet on Rabbit Island. He has remained all day.

Team Billand called at 0812 to report RIP (RR70), Noa (R6FI)& Kerby (RW08) together at Maili Point. Later in the day that would increase by Benny and an UU.

At 0954 they found Makaiwi (R4DF) fronting #1707 at White Plains.

She was joined at 1236 by Sharkbite (T15M).

Team Billand reported Kermit (R012) at Kermit's Reef at 1035.

Dera called at 1459 to report that Jeanie Martinson had reported KC (RK28) at Rocky Rights, on the North Shore at 1140.

Dera also advised that Eileen had reported Ewa Girl (RS00)&Kekoa (RK72) at the Reef Runway today.

RI37 has been off the radar of late, but shots from Liz Weske, taken at Crozier Dr. today show the chunky little girl.

Irma @ Sandy Beach

This is a perfect example of how the angle of the shot can be deceiving. We all know Irma is pregnant, but her we have a shot where she look skinny 

 and here... well not skinny at all

 clearly it's big momma Irma! 

 buster on rabbit island all by his lonesome 

 RI37 @ Mokuleia

 the girl looking chubby... i hope she carrying

 RI37 scar on right hind flipper

 Kermit @ Nimitz Cove

 Maka'iwi and T15 aka Sharkbite @ White Plains

 Maka'iwi

 pop goes the wee seal

 T15 posing with his war wounds with a shark

 Kerby @ Maili

 Kerby.... looking like he just woke up

 Noa @ Maili probably snoring

Kerby and Noa

 RIP rockstar @ Maili

 Benny & RIP@ Maili - WHY is it whenever Benny is around there is ALWAYS someone yapping. Benny boy always stirs the pot!

 Hey I got poked in the eye!

Benny with two unidentified unknowns 

 Instead of bad bad leroy brown - we got bad bad benny boy!