01/30/2020 Thursday (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

It was a gorgeous morning

As I made it to the Boulders 3 ladies, whom I have seen before, reported seeing the little baby with a big cut on her face and her eye was closed and oozing. Needless to say that I went straight to the point to check what was going on.

RL74 Kami was the little seal in question. She is FINE, there is a new cut on the left side of her face. It's clean, not bleeding or big. In 2/3 days it will be closed and healed. Her eyes were also 100% OK. They saw Kami hauling out so her wet fur must have given them the impression that something was wrong. Nothing like listening to reports then wait till you set eyes on the animal and do a complete evaluation before "crying wolf". Little
RL74 Kami is fine. Team T&D were heading in as I was leaving and were going to check on her also.

When I got to the point 2 adult seas were going at it in the shallow waters of Back Beach one was a U/M and the other was R3CU, easily IDed by the pit scar on his back with the NB bellow it.

In the Main Pool hauled out in the little cove RN58 Luana was escorted by R330 Squinty. R3CU tried twice to enter the Main Pool, Squinty chased him out both times.

Albatross chicks are hatching everywhere and this morning our "Ambassador's" egg hatched.  That's the nest right on the trail so if you decide to go see the birds we ask to PLEASE not stand there talking and taking photos. If the parent is standing up take your one or 2 photos and move on. Remember many people hike there, if everyone stops by, talks loudly, etc... the parent and chick will be disturbed. They chose the location to build the nest but we can help and protect them. Mahalo for your Kokua.

Whales also did put on a nice show     More tomorrow 

01/29/2020 Wednesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand.

Team Billand found a critter as soon as they headed out along the coast. They spotted a seal alone on shore snoozing. They were able to ID RW02 PvKauai surrounded by some junk (trash).  They called the hotline to report.

Next stop by the outfall they spotted two seals again playing near where the divers enter the water. Both seals were very active and playful.  There were no diver interactions.

Team Billand also got to observe the whales today. Did you know that Team Billand originally started out as whale watchers long before they got involved with monk seals.

Then at a west side location they found Kekoa RK72 already hauled up on lower rocks snoozing.


They spotted a seal off shore foraging doing 7 minute dives. He eventually hauled up to lower rocks with no interaction with the other seals. They ID'd RIP RR70.

Then they noticed way to the right on lower rocks a seal snoozing. It was R3CX Nalu with his butt in the water on his back. He then moved into a shallow water hole. He kept to himself and rested.

Team Billand headed back out to check other locations and near the outfall they spotted RN14 Kalani just coming in onto the rocks.  There was a dog from one of the camps nearby. Hopefully it's a well behaved pooch and will not bother the seal.

RW02 PvKauai

Two seals frolicking

RK72 Kekoa 

 RG28 Lefty 

Whales!

Kekoa hauled out

 RIP 

Nalu R3CX

 RN14 Kalani

01/28/2020 Tuesday - A Message from the Posse

I received an email from Posse Pal Anissa K this morning and she gave me permission to post this for her.  She makes some very valid point which I was attempting to do in my rant from yesterday.  THANK YOU Anissa for speaking up and thank you for having my back.

“With regard to the “speculation” about Pohaku’s status, secrecy is divisive and it does nothing to further the conservation of our HMS.  I, myself, do not Facebook so I have not seen the discourse.  However, I had heard from two different folks on two different continents and half a world apart who advised they had learned Pohaku had passed and they really wanted some confirmation.  I advised them I not seen any “official” word from any source.  This goes to show how rumors are started and it also shows how it would be so easy for there to be some “official” information passed simply stating that Pohaku has been captured and brought in for observation and testing…maybe even a short additional update letting folks know a prognosis.  She is either responding to treatment or she isn’t.  It is no big secret that our HMS get sick, injured or worse.  We as a community of HMS conservationists and lovers care for these beautiful creatures and it hurts our hearts to lose one, but we keep on keeping on for the species.  It is saddening that there is so much division especially when we are told to do our volunteer work with the upmost “Aloha” and we cannot do that in our own community.  Those who are out every day collecting data, responding to haul outs (“official” or “unofficial”), reporting distress, and/or conducting outreach bring a unique piece to a big puzzle.  Like the saying goes “it takes a village” and everyone of us are part of the community. Peace and blessings to all - and prayers for our beautiful Pohaku!”    Anissa

01/28/2020 Tuesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley and an visitor named Murray from Australia.

I hope you had a chance to read Anissa's message, I totally agree.  This is not a Oahu, Hawaii, problem, if we are protecting and trying to help a critically endangered species, it's a global problem.

It was almost two weeks ago when I first received an email from a gentleman named Murray from Australia. He was bringing his family to Hawaii and they wanted to see a monk seal and was hoping I could point him in the right direction.  I explained the seals haul outs are unpredictable, but to contact me when he arrived and I could possibly point him in the right direction. 

With the help of the posse and Lesley's generous offer to meet up with them at Ka'ena point, we wanted to show some Aloha to a family that was dealing with so much loss to the wildlife in their country.

Long story short, Murray and his family spotted a seal at Turtle Bay, Hanauma Bay AND on the Big Island.  I was thrilled they got to experience not just one but multiple sightings and that he and his family was able to see this beautiful creature. Also I would like to believe we were raising awareness to the plight of our critically endangered monk seals.

IF you care about saving the species, if you are responsible for doing this, then don't forget, people are watching and listening, so make sure you are sending the best possible message to help save this species.

Team Billand started their day with an unusual observation when they went to check the outfall.

They spotted two seals off shore playing with the floater that divers use. The seals were grabbing it, mouthing it, swimming around it. (Reminds me of my pups playing with their toys). Then Team Billand saw three divers trying to get their float back and then the seals took off. By the way Team Billand was able to ID the seals as RG28 Lefty and Kolohe RW22.

At 8:40 Team Billand spotted Lefty RG28 landing first, vocalizing and then turned to face another seal coming in. It was Kolohe RW22 coming in and Lefty wasn't  having it. A little struggle over territory and Kolohe left the area heading in the KoOlina direction.

Lefty stayed and settled in and on a later check he was still there sleeping.

At 10:30 Team Billand arrived at Paradise cove with hopes they would be there to see Kolohe arrive. It took a while and then Kolohe landed on the reef. Team Billand called the hotline and waited, when no one arrived they spoke with Auntie who was going to do her best to keep an eye on him. They had put up two signs on the corners to the channel.

Team Billand headed back to the west side and arrived to a site to find five seals, from noon to 1:45 pm.

RW02 PvKauai was on the edge of play boy pond. Apparently snoozing and peeing while he slept.

R3CX Nalu was next to RW02, then entered into the play boy pond. Guess that was against the rules, RW02 let him know to stay out of his face and Nalu backed off.

Rl20 Kalua was part of the group out there.

RR70 RIP mostly stayed to the left of lower rocks, not doing much interaction or moving.

Kekoa Alii RK72 was mid area, then moved to the waterhole. At one point or another all the seals fought for the water hole but in the end Kekpa won the big waterhole and stayed there the entire visit.

Eventually R3CX would join Kekoa and both remained.

Murray's first monk seal sighting K81

  Meet Murray and his son at Hanauma Bay

Kolohe RW22 & Lefty RG28 Playing with the divers tube 

Kolohe at Paradise Cove

 Kolohe on Westside with Lefty

 RG28 Lefty 

R3CX Nalu

 RW02 PvKauai

RL20 Kalua 

RIP 

 R3CX Nalu 

Nalu and Kekoa