Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the Mediterranean monk seal is making a cautious return to its native shores. Recognizable by their large, soulful eyes and soft expressions, these clever marine mammals have long had a fraught relationship with humans—particularly fishers. Their habit of stealing fish from nets and damaging gear has led to conflicts, with some seals historically killed in retaliation.
Historically, the species roamed a vast territory—from the Mediterranean and Black Seas to the coasts of northwest Africa and Atlantic islands like the Canaries, Madeira, and the Azores. However, intense hunting for meat, oil, and skins, alongside habitat loss and human conflict, triggered a severe population crash in the 20th century, placing the monk seal among the world’s most endangered marine mammals.
But today, there’s room for cautious optimism. Due to coordinated conservation programs and protective legislation, the global monk seal population is estimated to have grown from just 400–600 individuals in the early 2000s to around 1,000 today. This rebound prompted a gradual shift in its conservation status—from “Critically Endangered” in 2015 to “Endangered,” and more recently “Vulnerable.”
Adult monk seals can reach up to 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) in length and weigh between 250 and 400 kilograms (550 to 880 pounds). Males tend to be darker in color, while females display a lighter grey or brown tone. Their small, rounded flippers and upward-facing nostrils give them a dog-like charm.
References to the monk seal date back over two millennia. The Greek philosopher Aristotle described them in his 4th century BC treatise History of Animals, noting their presence on sandy beaches and rocky shores, where they lived in social groups. The name “monk seal” likely originates from the loose folds of skin around their necks, resembling a monk’s hood.
Today, monk seals are much more elusive. Their main populations are now concentrated in the eastern Mediterranean, especially along the coastlines and sea caves of Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. Another key population survives off the Mauritanian coast in Cabo Blanco. After centuries of disturbance, these animals abandoned open beaches and took refuge in inaccessible marine caves for resting and breeding—although there are encouraging signs of a gradual return to their former habitats.
Conservation efforts have included the creation of marine protected areas, especially around known breeding sites. Some fishing practices have been modified or relocated to reduce accidental capture, and awareness-raising campaigns have worked to shift public attitudes. Strong legal protections under national laws and international treaties have been crucial to safeguarding the species.
Groups like MOm (The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal) have been instrumental, mapping seal habitats, tracking populations, operating rehabilitation centers for orphaned or injured seals, and working closely with local communities.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The monk seal’s populations are small and fragmented, leaving them vulnerable to pollution, disease, habitat loss, and the growing threat of climate change.
Yet, with continued vigilance and cooperation across borders, there’s hope that this ancient inhabitant of the Mediterranean may once again thrive along the coasts it once called home.
