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NINENE 'S PROBLEMS IN MARCH 2009
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The trauma of her first four weeks when she was nursing were minor compared to what happened when her mother left and she was weaned. The young male we have called "Misery" turned on Ninene and beat up on her severely, so much that we considered she was very close to death. Ultimately she was saved by Slash, our old elephant seal, possibly her father, who took on the young male .

The following images are not the worst of what we had to watch while this drama unfolded.

Misery, juvenile elephant seal Ninene recovering Ninene recovering
This photo was taken on March 3, a few days later the mother had left the island leaving Ninene alone to be weaned. Ninene had moved to the other side of the engine room. She was looking fairly good, with evident weight gain from 4 weeks of nursing.
(photos by Garry Fletcher)
Misery, juvenile elephant seal Misery, juvenile elephant seal elephant seal injured
Misery on the lawn

photo by Raisa

After the female left, Misery was relentless in his attacks on Ninene. His throat red with Ninene's blood the next morning. Ninene the next day in critical condition.
Misery, juvenile elephant seal
Misery, juvenile elephant seal
Misery, juvenile elephant seal elephant seal injured
After the second night after the female left, Misery returned to the island with three large sets of puncture wounds, presumably from the only other male around, Slash. He laid low for a few days on the lawn below the flagpole Then Slash returned to the island and Misery soon left for good. Ninene retreats to the rocks on the south west corner of the island
Ninene injured
Ninene recovering Ninene recovering
Ninene recovering
March -- shortly after the beating, Ninene was coated in dried blood Recuperation took place out on the south west shore, well away from the centre of the island. March 5. Ninene is spending her time with her serious injuries out on the South west corner
Ninene recovering Ninene recovering
Ninene recovering
Slash on lawn
March 5, 2009. Its hard to imageine how she can recover from these injuries. March 9, Her condition is improving. Injury near the tail March 5 2009, Slash has driven off Misery and is now lounging on the lawn this week.
Slash on lawn Slash on lawn Slash on lawn Slash on lawn
March 5, Slash has taken over the place on the lawn where Misery was located . Battle scars on Slash. While on the island with Ninene, he never paid any attention to her. The bottom of Slash! We have a feeling that Slash was the father of Ninene, as he is the only one we have seen breeding there over the past few years. Tail end. Slash stayed around the island for a few weeks and then moved back to middle island.
Ninene, elephant seal pup Ninene, elephant seal pup
Ninene, elephant seal pup
Ninene, elephant seal pup
The large white cluster behind her deep neck wound was a large boil, possibly from infection or a parasite, that burst after a few days. In the last week of March, she made her first trip down to the docks and then went back across the island to stay a few days near the tower. March 25, 2009
Return to the first file to find out what happened to Ninene in the next few weeks

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