Rare Mediterranean monk seal discovery

This video is called Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

From the BBC today:

Scientists have found a colony of rare Mediterranean monk seals at an undisclosed location in Greece.

The species is the world’s most endangered seal, and one of the most endangered marine mammals – fewer than 600 individuals remain.

Researchers are keeping the location of the colony secret to avoid having the seals disturbed by human visitors.

It is the only place in the region where seals lie on open beaches, rather than hide in coastal caves.

Alexandros Karamanlidis, scientific co-ordinator of the Mom/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal, explained that this was the seals’ “original behaviour”.

Monk seal and hump-backed dolphin are threatened by fishing activities off coast of Mauritania: here.

Dangerous toxin discovered in critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal: here.

Monk Seals under threat in Hawaiian conservation zone: here.

Wadden Sea seals and metal pollution: here.