Monk Seals16

Meet the Mediterranean Monk Seal, the most endangered seal on the planet, photographed by Nuno Sá in the Desertas Islands archipelago off Madeira, where a relict population of less than 30
individuals exist. Nuno was privileged to capture the courtship and mating behaviour of this extremely rare marine mammal.

From a total world population of less than 450, two thirds live along the coasts and among the islands of Greece and Turkey. The main threats to this critically endangered species come from human pressure, destruction of caves, competition from fishing, disease, pollution and reduced genetic diversity. The IUCN Species Survival Commission Seal Specialist Group has devised an Action Plan for the conservation of the species, which aims to involve local fishermen, to research into the status of the species and to develop a captive breeding programme.