#monk seals

[reasonsforhope]

Once on the brink of extinction, rare Mediterranean monk seal populations are rising, thanks to conservation efforts.

The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, known as MOm, is a charity dedicated to the care and protection of these rare marine animals.

Nearly half of the world's estimated 800 Mediterranean monk seals live in Greek waters, where the extensive coastline offers an abundance of sea caves that provide shelter for females to rear their young.

The rare seals are the only seal species in the Mediterranean. They have big, round eyes, prominent whiskers and are remarkably fast in the water...

In the twentieth century, habitat deterioration and destruction, as well as deliberate aggression from fisherman has caused a drastic population decline, prompting the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) to classify them as 'critically endangered'.

The population had decreased so dramatically that at one point the species faced extinction.

Pictured: Panagis is one of dozens of monk seals nursed back to health by the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, known as MOm.

How conservation efforts are changing their fate

Dr Alexandros Dendrinos, a marine biologist and coordinator at MOm, explains that the Mediterranean monk seal is "one of the rarest species of seal and marine mammal in the world."

"To protect an animal like the Mediterranean monk seal in its natural environment, you essentially have to protect the entire marine ecosystem,"

MOm is the only centre of its kind in the region, and has cared for around 40 seals both on location and at its facilities.

They respond to members of the public who find an animal in distress, aiding adult seals on-site when possible and bringing young seals, like Panagais, to the rehabilitation centre at Attica Zoological Park in Athens.

The young seals receive veterinary care, specialised nutrition, and swimming practice. 

They are often named after those who found them, but human interaction is kept minimal to ensure their successful reintegration into the wild.

Once they have reached a healthy weight and developed natural hunting instincts, they are tagged for tracking and reintroduced to their natural habitat.

"This year, we had a really pleasant surprise," Dr Dendrinos shared.

A female seal they rehabilitated and released four years ago was recently spotted nursing her own pup.

Conservation efforts have yielded significant results as the species moved from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List and, in 2023, improved even further to vulnerable.

-via ABC Australia, March 12, 2025

[phocagroenlandica]

so obsessed with these images of monk seals in caves.. spooky cave is no place for a little seal.. but yet it is

[sealsdaily]

Today's Seals Are: The Cavers

[snototter]

Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) play in the shallows in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai'i

by NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

[samimarkart]

my dad used to show me these hawaiian fish card guides when i was a little kid that had soooo many different kinds of fish on each card - this is inspired by those, but a little less crowded!

i'm planning on getting this made as a sticker later this summer and donating some funds from my shop to a hawaiian org! any suggestions for what indigenous led groups to look into?

[bananacat76]

quick selkiefrin doodles before i sleep

[flockdog]

populating Modicia Abbey

[pinniposting]

the hawaiian monk seal’s name comes from the fact that the rolls of skin around their neck resembles a monk’s hood! they also don’t hang around in groups, unlike most other seals

photo: NOAA Fisheries

[rubidgea]

Takes place in the Hawaii Summer 2024 Arc but was drawn because I'm still lowkey upset I didn't get to go to South Padre Island last summer so I yearn for the beach

[sensitiveseal]

Ik this is super on the nose but. Have you made a seal-themed stimboard yet bc I think that'd be so cool...

I love your stimboards so much btw, this may become my favorite stim blog <3 tysm

SEAL BOARD SEAL BOARD SEAL BOARD

auuaauuau i’m so happy and honored you like my stuff enough to consider me a potential fav!!!! love u for this request also!!! i am always stoked about seals!!!!

🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭

x - x - x | x - x - x | x - x - x

[theyshapedlikefriends]

Douglas - "Speckles" Monk Seal

[mossypidder]

Part 1 - Next Part ->

Masterpost - Speach & Text Key - Character Ref Pages - Prompts List

This is prompt one through six. I finally finished them and I’m honestly pretty happy with most of them. Page four is a little chaotic though, hopefully it reads okay. The next part is only four pages, so hopefully it won’t take as long to finish.

[alex-fictus]

Holocene Extinctions

These animals all deserved better, but the best we can do is remember them and tell their stories.

Stickers Here <3

Great Auk - Dodo

Stellar's Sea Cow - Japanese Sea Lion / Caribbean Monk Seal - Baiji

Imperial Woodpecker - Passenger Pigeon

Thylacine - Warrah - Turnspit Dog

Shop || Phone Wallpapers

[sealsdaily]

seals? what are they keeping in?

Fish mostly

[silky-selkie]

What are your thoughts on Mediterranean monk seals

Incredible guys, wish there were more of them in the wild :(

[yeosin-n]

quick self insert doodle :,D

I’m back from work!!!! Got a tan from all the snorkeling I did hehe !!!