JULY 200l
On July 22, 200l the Poipu mom from last year gave birth to another pup on
Poipu Beach! It is now two weeks old and both mom and pup are doing well.
We are in the same routine as
last summer: answering the many questions from our visitors, passing
binoculars around to those who would like a closer view and sharing informative
literature and web site cards. We also monitor the mother and pup to
assure their well-being and report any problems to the proper authorities.
The most interesting fact about all of this is that last year I was told by
NMFS monk seal biologists that female seals may return to the same beach where
they have previously given birth. I honestly thought that they were kidding!
Thea Johanos, a NMFS monk seal biologist sent me an e-mail just days before
the birth. It was a “heads-up” notice that if the Poipu mom
was pregnant that July 22 might be her due date! I still did not believe
it.
You an imagine my surprise when I went for my walk at 6 a.m. on July
22 and the groundskeeper, J. C.
Carvalho is waving his hands and pointing to the beach.
Please refer to the September 2000 Newsletter,(or About the Seals or FAQ pages
of this web site,) for particulars on birth weights, nursing, HMS pups in
general.
The pictures enclosed were taken by Dennis Fujimoto of the The Garden Island
Newspaper a few hours after the birthing. He generously allowed us to
post them on the web site. Mahalo, Dennis!
Barbara Frazier
Kaua`i Monk Seal Watch Program Volunteer Coordinator and Liaison
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