Mediterranean monk seal

Mediterranean Monk Seal in a diorama at the Natural History Museum of Milan

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is an endangered seal species from the family of true seals. With an estimated 350 to 450 individuals, it is one of the rarest mammals in Europe.

Description

Main characteristic is the double tail fin. In color, these seals are highly variable; it is between light gray and dark brown. With a length of 240 cm and a weight of 280 kg ( females ), the Mediterranean monk seal is significantly larger than a seal. Females are slightly smaller than males. Young animals are brought into contact with about 80 cm and a black fur birth, which often has a white spot on the world.

Dissemination

The only species of seal in the Mediterranean has become extremely rare by persecution. The remaining populations are located on the Greek and Turkish coasts ( Foça and Anamur ), but especially on the African coast between Morocco and the Western Sahara ( there at the southern tip of the Ras Nouadhibou peninsula ) and in the Deserted Islands in the Archipelago of Madeira in the Atlantic, but also in the Strait of Sicily in La Galite (Tunisia). The colony of Madeira with about 30 animals and the stock is realized in recent years the rise.

Way of life

The Mediterranean monk seal is a diurnal fish -eater, which is found in small colonies of up to twenty animals. To give birth she is looking typically caves that are only accessible under water, with historical descriptions show that until the 18th century also open beaches have been used.

Reproduction

Very little is known about the reproductive behavior of the Mediterranean monk seal. Scientists suspect that the species is polygynous. Although births occur distributed throughout the year, reaching a peak in October and November. Also, because in that time, many caves are inundated by flood or storm surges, the mortality among pups is very high, so the IUCN expects that by the native animals from September to January only 29 % survive. The lactation period averages 134 days.

Mediterranean monk seal and man

Aristotle provided a description of the monk seal, the first seal is thus described at all. For centuries, many fishermen saw this seal a kind of competition. This and the serious pollution of the living areas of this mammal is threatened today very strong extinction.

Protection measures

To protect the species in 1992, the National Parks were established to Deserted Islands of Madeira and the Northern Sporades in the Aegean. Furthermore, this species is listed I ( total prohibition ) in CITES Appendix.

A study by the Italian Ministry of the Environment of 2013 confirmed the presence of monk seals in the marine reserve of the Aegean Islands