We were excited to find a seal sound asleep on the beach across from Kaaawa School yesterday morning.
We hadn’t seen it yet when I took the top photo, but click for a larger version of this photo, and you can see the seal in the far right ahead by the trees. It looks like a large, sand-colored object.
She (we’re referring to it as a female since most of the sightings along our coast have been females) clearly visible as we got closer.
What a treat! She was still there in the early afternoon, sound asleep in the same spot.
![[text]](http://ilind.net/images_2010/seal042110.jpg)
![[text]](http://ilind.net/images_2010/seal042110-1.jpg)
![[text]](http://ilind.net/images_2010/seal042110-2.jpg)
Aren’t you blessed she picked Kaaawa to take a nap? And she keeps coming back. Glass balls and monk seals . . . it just doesn’t get any better than that.
Uh oh. Hadn’t moved all day? You sure it was/is alive?
very cool
they are such sweet creatures.
there is one daily popping her/his head outta the water everytime I take my fave outrigger cruise the Maitai on Sundays. Big Honu accompanies the seal too. They both seem to love living near shore.
If you see a Monk Seal on the beach, PLEASE call the NOAA Monk Seal Sighting Line tel: (808) 220-7802. We need to Prevent them from being disturbed.
Our Seals are Critically Endangered & need to be allowed to sleep so they have strength to escape sharks & gil nets.
http://www.mcbi.org/what/what_pdfs/sealFacts.pdf
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_hawaiian_monk_seal.html
Seals can BITE! & dogs can transmit a fatal disease to our Seals.
Doneil is our local Kaaawa volunteer “Monk Seal Lady” She & NOAA have marking tape, signs & info. Volunteers take turns guarding our sleeping seals, because sadly some people try to pet or hurt them!
Did anyone see a large painted number on this Seal ? NOAA needs to track them to better protect them.
Doneil & others need help getting Monk Seal Programs in our schools. We would like more Community members, esp our Youth get involved in spotting, guarding & protecting our Seals!
FROM Tracy at NOAA’s Monk Seal Sighting Line:
“Based on the pics it’s hard to say 100%, but I’m pretty sure its RK28/”KC”. This is also one of her common haul out areas.
Thanks for the link! cheers,Tracy”
FYI: If you e-mail NOAA your Monk Seal Pixs:
PIFSC.monksealsighting@noaa.gov
they can usually tell you about the Seal & its history.
Again, love to get more Local Youth involved & strengthen their Science Skills-combining Traditional Knowledge w/ latest Scientific techniques….
MAHALO/ KC