Category: Mediterranean News

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‘Nereus’ close to release

Monk seal pup ‘Nereus’, currently undergoing rehabilitation on Alonnisos, is responding well to treatment, and is likely to be released within days, reports MOm.

The 3-month old pup was found stranded on a remote beach on the Aegean island of Kythira on 7 February, and was visibly weak and undernourished when the decision came to transfer him to the MOm rehabilitation unit on 13 February [Stranded pup enters rehab on Alonnisos].

“Nereus now exceeds 40 kg,” reports MOm, “consumes 6 kg of fish per day, and spends the majority of his time swimming. In a few days he will complete his treatment regimen and, upon passing veterinary and blood examinations, will be ready to bid us farewell.”

MOm has appealed for funds to assist its rehabilitation effort.

Source: Τα νέα του “Νηρέα”! / “Nireas” news! MOm press release, 10 March 2010.

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Pup shot dead on Evia, Greece

A young female monk seal has been shot and killed on the Aegean island of Evia, reports Greek NGO MOm. An onsite necropsy by the organisation’s rescue team indicated that the still nursing pup had been in good nutritional health before being shot in the head with a hunting rifle by “person or persons unknown” on 16 February.

The killing comes 10 months after the shooting of a male pup in the same area. “Markos“, who suffered horrific head wounds as a result of the attack on 27 April 2010, quickly succumbed to its injuries despite intensive care at MOm’s seal rescue unit on Alonnisos.

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Stranded pup enters rehab on Alonnisos

In an announcement dated 18 February, Greek monk seal NGO MOm announced that a young seal found stranded on the Aegean island of Kythira had been transferred to its rehabilitation unit at Steni Vala, Alonnisos, in the Northern Sporades.

MOm reports that the pup was initially seen hauled up on Feloti beach, Kythira, by a local resident on 7 February. A week later, on 13 February, it received another alert, this time by a Kythira veterinarian, who reported that the animal appeared in distress, the photographic evidence and information provided leading MOm to speculate that the animal had remained stranded for the entire week. First aid instructions were communicated by phone. The young seal, however, failed to show any visible signs of improvement after a further two days, was visibly weak, and failed to react to human presence.

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Monk seal and hump-backed dolphin are threatened by fishing activities off coast of Mauritania

Media Watch, Plataforma SINC, Press Release, 21 January 2011
Monk seal approaching artisanal fishers in Mauritania (Photo: A. Aguilar)

Catalan researchers have studied the marine trophic network in Mauritania, on the north west coast of Africa, which is an extremely heavily exploited fishing area, as well as being home to two of the world’s most threatened species of marine mammal – the monk seal and the Atlantic hump-backed dolphin. The results of the study show that industrial and traditional fishing activities along the coast are putting these mammals and local marine ecosystems at great danger.

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Foça pups: feeding video

A video released by Turkish NGO SAD-AFAG illustrates how a pair of recently orphaned Mediterranean monk seal pups, undergoing rehabilitation in Foça, Turkey, have been introduced to an innovative bowl-feeding method (in place of the customary and more invasive force-feeding technique). Courtesy: SAD-AFAG.

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Two orphaned pups enter rehab in Foça

Rehabilitation breaks new ground in feeding methods

Two orphaned Mediterranean monk seal pups are being treated at a rehabilitation facility in Foça, Turkey, according to a press release issued by Turkish NGO SAD-AFAG.

The female pups were discovered in separate regions both on the 18 December 2010: the Bozyazı region, Mersin, and the Kas region, Antalya, both along Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline. It is thought that a heavy storm might have been responsible for separating the pups from their mothers.

Alerted to the discovery of the pups by the Coast Guard and Gendarmerie, SAD-AFAG dispatched a rescue team led by veterinarian Avni Gök to both sites, where Oral Rehydration Therapy and other first aid was administered. The pups were then transported to the “Foca Monk Seal Rehab Unit” on 19 December.

The pups, reports SAD-AFAG, have so far responded well to treatment. In a potentially important development — and in a break from standard procedure — initial force-feeding was substituted by offering the pups weighed quantities of minced fish porridge in open cups.

“Both seals,” says SAD-AFAG’s Cem Orkun Kıraç, “have fully been managing to ‘drink’ the fish porridge from the cups, ingesting the whole food slowly but without any problem since the 26th and 31st December 2010.”

He goes on: “Since these dates, no force feeding has been applied to either pup at all. The seals have gained weight since their arrival, and have already started to chase live fish and octopus in their pool in the rehab unit. It is expected that the pups may start live fish catching and eating soon.”

Turkey

Turkey

Full Story and Photos: Two new orphan pups under rehab in Foça, Türkiye, SAD-AFAG News Release, 7 January 2011.