PO‘IPU — A newborn Hawaiian monk seal pup attracted people to the roped-off beach area fronting the Castle Resorts’ phase of the Kiahuna Plantation Tuesday. Born early Tuesday morning, the mom and pup lazed at the water’s edge, waves occasionally
PO‘IPU — A newborn Hawaiian monk seal pup attracted people to the roped-off beach area fronting the Castle Resorts’ phase of the Kiahuna Plantation Tuesday.
Born early Tuesday morning, the mom and pup lazed at the water’s edge, waves occasionally breaking over the pup, causing it to roll over.
Beach-goers, on discovering the event, paused in their enjoyment of the Southshore sun and surf, to check out the newborn pup.
“The resorts have been kind to work with us,” said Dr. Mimi Olry, the Kaua‘i Marine Conservation coordinator who was on site Tuesday and juggling between the roped-off areas on Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club side of the beach and the Kiahuna side of the beach, coordinated the volunteer efforts on site, working with marine biologist Don Heacock of the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources to establish tents and umbrellas for the volunteer monitors.
Tuesday’s birth was by Seal 310, a temporary number assigned by Olry to the mother seal.
Olry said that 310 was first observed at Salt Pond Park in June, and after about a month’s absence, hauled out at the beach fronting Kiahuna for her birth.
Olry said the Tuesday birth caught her by surprise. “It was the wrong seal,” she said, expecting that the birth would be by another seal that observers have been tracking.
That seal, K02, or more affectionately known as “Po‘ipu Mom,” is also pregnant, and due to give birth. Olry said that Po‘ipu Mom was last seen at the beach near the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Po‘ipu, Monday night.
One of the more noticeable features of this expectant mother is the presence of a fish hook embedded close to her mouth.
Olry said this was first reported to her by a resident of Kaumakani on Wednesday, and confirmed when K02 hauled out in Po‘ipu.
But, after conferring with Dr. Bob Braun, one of the top marine veterinarians in the state, he recommended that no intervention be done until after she gives birth.
Olry felt that people should know about Po‘ipu Mom’s hook because they will see it and report it. She said they are aware of the situation, but because of the pregnancy, will just have to wait.
During the past several weeks, she noted that the number of de-hooking incidents involving seals have increased.
She’s also noticed an increase in the number of fishermen, and suspects that these increases are due to the current ‘oama run that is being enjoyed around the island.
Tim Robinson, project manager for the Kauai Monk Seal Program, guessed that the seal who gave birth Tuesday was a first-time mother judging by the size of the pup and their behavior following the birth.
Based on scar identification, he thought perhaps the mother was a seal they had labeled “Little Girl.”
Olry explained that they have suspected the pregnancy of the Hawaiian monk seal, and have been meeting to establish a plan for the pupping.
Jody Kjeldsen, the new director for the Poipu Beach Resort Association (PBRA), will be updated daily, Olry said. That updated information on the status and movement of the seals will be distributed to leaders of resorts along the beach area, so they can inform their guests on a daily basis.
Additionally, although off-island to tend to a family emergency Tuesday, Olry explained that the establishment of information as well as volunteer coordination and sign-ups, will be coordinated by Jean Souza of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Olry’s area of responsibility centers around the animals’ welfare and public safety.
“We have less beach to work with,” Olry said, noting that the strip of beach fronting the Kiahuna was quickly being inundated by the rising tide, with waves lapping around the feet of the volunteers who sought shelter in the tent.
On the other side of the coin, school started this week, which meant that students were in school, making the volunteers’ jobs “a little quieter.”
Robinson explained to visitors that, when the pups are born, they weigh about 25 to 30 pounds, and are about a meter in length.
During the next six weeks, the pair will be constantly together, as the baby grows to over 200 pounds.
Olry said that, about the third week, the pair will begin to wander farther away from the birth site.
Following the six-week nursing period, the mother seal weans the pup abruptly, leaving it to resume her own feeding, although Olry noted that the Kaua‘i beaches have been popular with the seals, and previous mothers have stayed beyond the normal six weeks.
In addition to Olry and the monk-seal-watch volunteers, Joe Larson, a law enforcement refuge officer from the Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex, was also at the site to help.
Additionally, Jeff Walters, the state co-manager from the DLNR and NOAA, is expected to fly in today to help coordinate the efforts at the beach site.
Olry added that volunteer training is scheduled to begin this morning, and volunteers are asked to contact Souza at 651-1457.
“We welcome individuals and organizations to come out and volunteer,” Souza said. “They don’t even need to have a reservation, just come to one of the training sessions and sign up.”
Souza said that training sessions will begin this morning, and continue twice daily through Sunday. There will be a session that starts at 10 a.m., and a session starting at 6 p.m. in the lobby of Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club.
There is no charge for the hour-long sessions, which will be led by assistant volunteer coordinators, and Souza stressed that people interested in attending these sessions park at the Po‘ipu Beach Park parking area, and access Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club through the beach-access route.
More information on the Hawaiian monk seal can be found at the Kauai Monk Seal Program’s Web site, www.kauaimonkseal.com.
