KC and Honey Girl are currently surrounded by a protection fencing and volunteers are giving their all to see that they are not desturbed. But it is taking everybody's 100%. Take my schedule today 05:00 to 09:15 at one North Shore birth site. Then off to another birth site setting up the perimeter fencing till about 1:30, then a brief lunch before I get another call for a sighting at Sunset Beach. I couldn't find that one so I checked out the first site where Honey Girl was for a final viewing before I called it a day. Tomorrow we get a similar schedule. And that's just what I'm doing. David, Tracy, DB, Donna, Brenda, Terri, Lori and a whole bunch of others that I haven't met yet, but hope to meet this week are all busy watching and logging in data. All of us are running ragged setting up to do the monitoring of these little pups activity.
But, we're all having a very good time watching and keeping track of all that's going on with these two little guys. You'd never know that there were these many people willing to donate their time unless you got involved.
Our two NOAA leaders, David and Tracy deserve a great big pat on the back for their time, leadership and training in all of this.
2 comments:
Aloha and a huge mahalo for all you help with the monk seal pup of R5AY
- "P02" ...
...which appears to be a young male but we will wait to see when He?
fills out a little bit!
As you may know we also have a pup at Mokuleia born this morning or last
night. That schedule is filling up nicely thanks to some Honu Guardians
and other interested community members. The schedule for "P02" at
"Crawfords is getting there but we still have quite a few spots where
there is only one person. We need 2-3 people per shift with experienced
people on board.
Attached is the schedule and other useful information. If you have a
change or an addition PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL but leave a message on
944-2269 as I will likely be in the field the next few days and I will
carry this copy with me.
Directions:
Seal has pupped on the beach makai of Crawfords Convalescent Home in
Kahuku, where the hospital ruin is.
Look for a red and white metal fence with the number 58065. Its
difficult to see as it is sunk in among the foliage.
Look to the left of the gate for a tall old palm tree. On a nail on the
tree is a key to get in the gate. Lock behind you and PUT the KEY back
on the nail.
Drive to the end of the road and you will see the orange fence around
5AY and P02.
Our priorities:
1. Personal Safety
2. Protect mom and pup
3. Educate the public beach user community on the importance of the pup
to the population and why we need to prevent disturbance along with all
the other interesting things you know about monk seals. (There will be
educational materials there for you to hand out and to check your facts).
4. Keep a log of the behavioral changes in the pup (and mom) and fill
out the nursing form when nursing is occurring.
Other instructions
IF a problem arises of any kind call David at 721-5343. [i.e.Seals leave
area, fence falls down, dog runs into "seal protection zone", people are
unhappy with the seal being there...etc]
One person from each shift call David at the beginning of the shift.
Last person on the day call David when you are out the gate and on the
road at sundown.
Again a huge mahalo for dedicating your time for the conservation and
management of this endangered species!
David
--
David Schofield
Marine Mammal Response Network Coordinator
NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814
Cell 808-721-5343
Office 808-944-2269
Fax: 808-944-2142
david.schofield@noaa.gov
The last comment was a schedule sent by David to all of us volunteers. I copied and pasted it for any viewers who are keeping track of this thread.
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