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Mediterranean Monk Seal

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Innocence In Danger

Mediterranean monk seal is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. This benign pinniped from the family of Phocidae (seals), although among the largest types of seals, is today reduced to a warning number of 400. Since one of its habitats is my home country Croatia, I've decided to share the facts below and tell the story that many people probably don't know. Should my story make you think about what's happening to this beautiful and innocent creature - good - it should. Should it make you act and help in any way - great - the mission of this story will be accomplished.

Photo credit

Fundamentals

Habitat of Mediterranean Monk Seal

Mediterranean monk seal is a well adapted sea mammal, but compared to a whale for example, this pinniped spends part of its life out of the sea. While on the land, it inhabits caves and private shores and beaches hardly reachable to people.

They live alone or in small colonies. The oldest ones were documented to be even 45 years old, but the average life span today is approximately 25 years. Their diet consists of fish and bivalves and daily food requirement is 13 kg (28 lbs).

Although they breed all year round, the peak seams to be in October and November. A newborn cub is 80 cm long (31.5 inches), while the full size of an adult weights 300 kg (660 lbs) and reaches the respectable 2.5 m (8 ft) in length.

This makes Mediterranean monk seal one of the largest seals in the world.

First There Were Many

Why Can't We Learn From the Past?

Highly protected back in ancient Greece, Mediterranean monk seal was considered a sign of a good fortune if spotted by fishermen and sea travelers. Colonies used to occupy a wide geographical area, from the Atlantic coast of Africa, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores to Corsica, the Balearic Islands, Sicily, Croatia, Monte Negro, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

But Then Came a Man

Killing Mediterranean Monk Seals as a Business

Human survival needs caused increased hunting of Mediterranean monk seals and their trusting nature made them an easy prey. Romans almost brought the specie to an extinction. Later their population has been facing ups and downs throughout the different historical eras, but the long term effect unfortunately remained. As so many times with dolphins, man has been killing monk seals in the Mediterranean because they were damaging his fishing nets and eating his fish.

Coastal development and intense tourism was and is an ongoing threat to the survival of this beautiful and innocent creature. For the whole story to be even worse, not so few people kill seals (not just the Mediterranean monk seals) just for sport. This picture says it all...

photo courtesy of milagros108, Flickr

Today There Are Only Few

Mediterranean Monk Seals are About to Extinct

What used to be a numerous population once, today has come down to only two colonies in the whole world. One inhabits the western coast of Africa (Cabo Blanco) and the other one can be found in the northeastern Mediterranean (coastal areas of Greece and Turkey).

However, more and more encounters are being reported during last five years or so throughout the areas where it was considered gone, so a new hope is raising. Its latest appearing in Croatia was in April 2010 at the northern part of the coast, near town of Pula.

photo courtesy of Project Thalassa, Flickr

Mediterranean monk seal is the only living carnivore pinniped mammal in the entire Mediterranean sea.

Teach Your Kids the Beauty of Seals

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Mediterranean Monk Seal Video

Mediterranean Monk Seal
by EuropeanSeasports | video info

7 ratings | 5,635 views
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Speckles Monk Seal 12 by Douglas Cuddle Toys

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One Totally Different Monk Seal :)

Back in 1979. people of Zaton, small town on the middle coast of Croatia, made this unique statue of Mediterranean monk seal as a tribute to the Mediterranean games sports event that took place that same year. Mediterranean monk seal was the official mascot of the games.

Photo credit: www.zaton-online.com

You Can Help Too - Just Get Involved

Valuate These Links or Add New Ones

Visit some of the websites below and see if you can contribute in any way. Learn what to do if you spot the Mediterranean monk seal while visiting one of its habitats or where and how to report it. Or maybe you'd like to participate in their funding by buying some nice themed accessories?

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Endangered Baby Monk Seals Recuperating in Turkey

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Purple Star Award

What a way to start a month!

On March 1st 2011 this story got the purple star and made me so happy and proud :)

Thank you Squidoo!!!

the Mediterranean Monk Seal Art

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About Tamara Kajari

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Is there a future for the Mediterranean Monk Seal?

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