Sightings:
The Kauai team logged 303 seal sightings this month. This included 30 individually identified seals.
April: 303
March: 299
Feb: 259
Jan: 336
New:
- RK13 gave birth to PK1 on 4/20/2018. Extensive monitoring was immediately set-up and continues. Unfortunately, the location is notorious for off-leash dogs and past conflict between beach users and the monk seal program. Thus far, only minor issues have risen. Pup continues to thrive.
- RK52 gave birth to stillborn female pup. This was RK52’s first birth. Carcass was sent to Oahu for necropsy.
Updates:
- NG00 was re-sighted once this month and is likely still hooked. (See previous monthly updates for background.)
- Poipu Keiki Pool: 2 displacements took place this month.
- Bleach markings: 2 seals bleach marked this month.
- Molting activity: one seal continues to molt this month.
Research/Support of Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center:
- Sub-sampled scat, molt, and tissue plug samples.
- Logged all seal sightings. Thomton organized photos and reported sightings, molt tallies, survival factors to send to PIFSC.