We had an event last night, sort of a thank you for the volunteers and we had a speaker from NOAA come talk to us about the Hawaiian Monk Seal. According to the talk (and hand outs we got) Monk Seals as they appear today first appeared ~10-11.6 Ma. and between ~3.5 - 11.6 Ma. made their way to the Hawaiian area (possibly through a seaway between North and South America called the Central American Seaway). Monk seal bones were also found in a Hawaiian midden dating to ~A.D. 1,400 - 1,750.
There are approximately 5-10 known individuals that visit the Big Island every year. There are around ~1000 individuals for the entire species (that lives only in the NW and main Hawaiian Islands) and around ~100 individuals in the main Hawaiian Islands.
So after the talk last night, our speaker mentioned that a female with the bleach mark "V02" had been spotted in the area and might stop by Kahalu'u. Sure enough this morning we all had an email saying she was indeed at the park!
Here are some photos! (I know that's what you came here for!)
Itchy nose!!!
You can see her bleach markings in this one
Someone was happily snoozing
Tail fin tags for ID purposes... The appropriate organization knew who she was and that she was there (they had their own volunteer "Seal sitting" but I took it anyways)
Saying hi! :) also tummy shot for ID see the markings that look like a "5" on a 6 sized dice? that lets you know she is a "she"
