![\"Rhodes](\"http:\/\/monachus-guardian.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Rhodes-seal-killing-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>On Tuesday December 6, the Port Police of Rhodes and the Dodecanese Fisheries Director and President of the Management Body of the Protected Area Karpathos-Saria, Ms. Fotaki Marigo, informed MOm of a dead monk seal on the Karavola islet southwest of Rhodes.<\/p>\nOn the same day, the Security Chief of the Port Police of Rhodes, Mr. Vasilis Milathianakis, and volunteers from the Free Diving Association of Dodecanese-Rhodes, went to the site to confirm the incident and collect information and data. In consultation\u00a0with the Director of MOm\u2019s Rescue and Information Network, Ms. Marianna Psaradellis, all necessary arrangements were made for the collection of samples, since the area is remote and transport of the animal was not possible.<\/p>\n
Today,\u00a0Wednesday, December 7, MOm biologist,\u00a0Psaradellis,\u00a0went to Rhodes\u00a0in order\u00a0to examine the\u00a0samples\u00a0and give a testimony\u00a0to the competent authorities.\u00a0From the observations, descriptions,\u00a0images, data and\u00a0samples\u00a0collected,\u00a0 it has been determined that: the seal \u00a0was\u00a0an\u00a0adult\u00a0male\u00a0in good\u00a0nutritional status (length\u00a0of over 2.5meters\u00a0and weighing\u00a0300\u00a0kilos).\u00a0The animal\u00a0bore\u00a0head injuries\u00a0from a hunting\u00a0rifle\u00a0and had been shot with 2 bullets (those used\u00a0to\u00a0hunt\u00a0wild boar).\u00a0Justice for this incident will be sought, as the\u00a0Rhodes Port Authority\u00a0is conducting an investigation\u00a0and has\u00a0informed\u00a0the\u00a0designated\u00a0prosecutor.<\/p>\n
We appeal<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>to anyone who<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>has information<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>about the incident<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>to contact the<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Rhodes<\/strong> Port<\/strong> Authority<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>(tel.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>22410 28666<\/strong>) or\u00a0the Port\u00a0Police (tel.\u00a0108).<\/strong><\/p>\n Unfortunately, there have been 6\u00a0confirmed cases\u00a0of deliberate\u00a0killing of\u00a0Mediterranean\u00a0seals\u00a0so far this year, in\u00a0different regions\u00a0of the country.\u00a0 Intentional\u00a0killing\u00a0remains one of the\u00a0main\u00a0threats\u00a0to the survival\u00a0of the species\u00a0in the Mediterranean.\u00a0International, European,\u00a0EU and national legislation\u00a0such as:<\/p>\n strictly prohibit,\u00a0not only\u00a0killing,\u00a0but even\u00a0the\u00a0disturbance\u00a0of these animals.\u00a0The monk seal\u00a0is the\u00a0number one\u00a0endangered\u00a0marine\u00a0mammal\u00a0in Europe,\u00a0and the largest population in the\u00a0world\u00a0lives and breeds\u00a0in our country.\u00a0MOm\u00a0continues its\u00a0efforts for the\u00a0rescue and\u00a0survival of the species\u00a0by all legal\u00a0means available.<\/p>\n We appeal to\u00a0local\u00a0communities to\u00a0condemn\u00a0these incidents\u00a0and end\u00a0these kinds of\u00a0practices\u00a0and behaviours.\u00a0Unfortunately, the\u00a0irresponsible\u00a0actions\u00a0of a\u00a0small minority of\u00a0unscrupulous individuals may cause\u00a0the loss of monk seals in our country.\u00a0We must not tolerate these crimes.<\/p>\n We want to\u00a0thank\u00a0the\u00a0Rhodes Port Authority, namely\u00a0the Security Chief, Vasilis Milanthiakis\u00a0and the Free Diving Association of the Dodecansese who supplied their boat and specifically, Vasilis Houlis and Theodoris Froumis, for their valuable contributions and support.<\/p>\n\n