Grand sightings total:
o 3,381 or 9.3 seals sightings/day on Kauai in 2022
o 2,377 or 6.5/day in 2021
o 2,005 or 5.5/day in 2020
o 3,154 or 8.9/day in 2019
o 3,253 or 8.9/day in 2018
o 3,621 or 9.9/day in 2017
o 3,236 or 8.9/day in 2016
o 3,321 or 9.1/day in 2015
o 2,516 or 6.9/day in 2014
Kauai population:
o 69 unique individual seals sighted on Kauai in 2022
o 65 in 2021
o 67 in 2020
o 67 in 2019
o 60 in 2018
o 60 in 2017
o 56 in 2016
o 53 in 2015
o 47 in 2014
Births: 3 total born on Kauai in 2022
Mortalities: 1 confirmed mortality in 2022:
o R7GM: adult female died from birthing complications related to twin full-term fetuses.
Niihau Seals (likely): sighted a minimum of 9 new seals in 2022, but likely more as several new untagged seals had no markings or scars so no temporary IDs were given (8 in 2021, 8 in 2020, 5 in 2019, 9 in 2018, 12 in 2017, 6 in 2016, 14 in 2015).
Displacements: 21 total displacements occurred.
o 21 displacements from the Poipu Keiki Pool.
Vaccination for morbillivirus efforts:
o 2 seals were vaccinated
Bleach marking effort:
o 14 bleach marks were applied
Stranding Responses in 2022:
Hawaiian monk seal responses:
o RM28: Hooked. Captured and hook removed on the beach by the Kauai team.
o RP28: Hooked. Leader trimmed, seal then threw hook on own.
o R2XW: Hooked. Leader trimmed. Follow-up response required vet support to sedate and removed hook from around mandible. Procedure conducted at DLNR baseyard.
Kaua'i Seals 