Stefan Radunović recently observed a rare and strictly protected species, the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), in the Open Sea off Petrovac, as announced today by the Mora Biology Institute.

According to the Institute, Radunović spotted the seal on Tuesday.

“The Mediterranean monk seal is a marine mammal belonging to the order Pinnipedia, specifically the family Phocidae, and is likely the rarest species within its genus,” the Institute stated.

Their explanation noted that this species is the sole representative of the genus Monachus, while its closest relatives, the Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) and Caribbean monk seal (Neomonachus tropicalis), have been deemed extinct since the latter half of the 20th century.

Estimates from 2020 indicated that fewer than 700 Mediterranean monk seals remain worldwide.

“Females can give birth year-round, but the majority of pups are born between September and November. They typically choose secluded beaches or underwater caves, which help protect them from predators and human disturbances,” the Institute added.

Encouragingly, recent analyses suggest a slight increase in the population, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the Mediterranean monk seal from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”

In Montenegro, the Mediterranean monk seal is legally protected under national legislation, conforming to various international agreements, including the Bern Convention (on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats), Bonn Convention (CMS), CITES, the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, Accobams for the Black Sea, Mediterranean and adjacent Atlantic areas, the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), and the UNEP/MAP Action Plan for the Protection of Mediterranean Seals.

The Institute urges all citizens and visitors who spot a Mediterranean monk seal to observe it from a safe distance, avoiding any disturbances or attempts to approach.

“If you have the opportunity to take photos or videos, please share them with the Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Montenegro,” they encouraged.

On this occasion, Montenegro will showcase the Mora Institute’s work in collaboration with the Institute of Biology, highlighting the Mediterranean monk seal in the Nature Protection series at the Boka Aquarium.