This newsletter originated as a means of communication for those of us caring for the seals on Kaua`i's beaches.

When the seal pups were born last summer, I had a great time reporting the whole cycle complete with pictures and art work. Since then, several things have changed in my life and I'm no longer able to continue with lengthy reports and pictures, even though I love sharing that with all of you. I was losing too much time with the seals on the beach, so I had to prioritize.As a result, this newsletter will be briefer than you're used to. However, the website will be ready soon with more information for you. We'll let you know when the site is up and running.

Kaua`i's south shore has been frequented by many seals during the fall and winter. At least nine of them molted,a process in which the outer layer of skin and old fur peels off, revealing new, silvery fur underneath. There were also many sightings of off-island seals or at least ones that we do not regularly note in this area.

Right now there are three on the beach at Po`ipu and several more cruising by, checking out the beaches. They might be checking out birthing sites for this summer, searching for a mate, or just looking for a place to sleep on the beach! We may have more seals in the winter on the south shore, due to lower surf and better feeding conditions. However, seals can go wherever and whenever they want, as shown by the recent (unconfirmed) reported birth of a monk seal pup on the Na Pali coast several weeks ago.

Also, according to Don Heacock, Kaua`i District Aquatic Biologist, the Kaua`i Monk Seal Watch Program will soon integrate sea turtles into its program. Volunteers have already helped Don with several sea turtle strandings, removing fishing hooks and line from two turtles, and capturing and shipping sick turtles badly infected with tumors (fibropapilloma). The tumor problem is being studied by George Balazs of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)on O`ahu. This problem is also occurring with green sea turtles in Florida. In the next month or two, Don will work with NMFS to schedule a training workshop focusing on both seals and green sea turtles.

Finally, there was a report last week from a reliable source that a newborn Humpback whale calf had nearly stranded in a shallow channel in the coral reef at Ali`omanu just north of Anahola Bay. Don responded to the report. Upon arriving at the site he learned that the small whale, about l2 feet long and with many cuts caused by washing on the coral reef, had been able to swim out of the channel and offshore.

For two hours after the whale swam away, searchers checked the shoreline place - down current of Anahola for roughly a mile to the south. Apparently, the whale did not strand again in this area as no further reports came in. Don says "mahalo" for the help all of you have given to our protected and endangered marine animals.


The following poem was sent to me by my granddaughter, Rachel, who lives in Texas.


THE SEAL

by William Jay Smith

See how he dives
From the rock with a zoom!
See how he darts
Through his watery room

Past crabs and eels
And green seaweed,
Past fluffs of sandy Minnow feed!

See how he swims
With a swerve and a twist,
A flip of a flipper,
A flick of the wrist!

Quicksilver quick,
Softer than spray,
Down he plunges
And sweeps away.

Before you can think,
Before you can utter
Words like dill pickle
Or apple butter

Back up he swims
Past sting ray and shark,
Out with a zoom,
A woop, and a bark;

Before you can say
Whatever you wish,
He plops down at your side
With a mouthful of fish!

ALOHA,

Barbara Frazier
Kaua`i Monk Seal Watch Program Volunteer Coordinator and Liaison

Back to Newsletter main page