Endangered monk seal species’ first birth of the year recorded in Karpathos

[Dinos Protopappas/OFYPEKA]

Environmental experts person confirmed the archetypal commencement successful 2025 of a Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), an endangered species, successful a oversea cave connected the land of Karpathos successful the Dodecanese.

The newborn, observed by staff of the Greek Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA), is particularly important arsenic it is the archetypal antheral pup recorded successful respective years. Over the past 5 years, each births documented successful the country were female.

Karpathos is considered 1 of the astir important breeding grounds for this endangered species successful Greece, with six to 8 pups typically calved there each year.

Monk seal births usually take spot successful isolated caves betwixt precocious August and December, where mothers caregiver and support their pups for respective months until they tin swim independently.

Monitoring births and safeguarding habitats is important for protecting this uncommon marine mammal and ensuring the survival of its population.