The Monachus-Guardian — Headlines-News-Articles — 2008-2018
Dedicated to Monk Seals and their Threatened Habitats
Two orphaned Mediterranean monk seal pups, under rehab in the Turkish Aegean town of Foça for the last three and a half months, will be released on 2 April, NGO SAD-AFAG has announced [Monk seal pups to be released].
The pups were both discovered on the 18 December 2010 but in separate locations: in the Bozyazı region, Mersin, and the Kas region, Antalya [see Two orphaned pups enter rehab in Foça].
In a brief press statement issued today, Greek NGO MOm announced that Mediterranean monk seal pup ‘Nereus’ had been released into the National Marine Park of Alonnisos, Northern Sporades on Saturday March 19. Although no information was provided on the location, previous releases have occurred on uninhabited outlying islands within the Park.
The 4-month old seal, reports MOm, weighed in at 50 kg at its release. The 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 7 days later [Seal pup enters rehab on Alonnisos].
In contrast to previous releases, Nereus appears not to have been equipped with any post-release electronic tracking device (satellite or mobile phone). No explanation was provided in the MOm press statement, nor any indication if any form of post-release monitoring is planned.
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.
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.
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.
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.