THE SEAL IN DANGER

The monk seal has been in existence for over 15 million years. Two of the original three species survive today despite the pressures of a changing world. Monk seals inhabit subtropical seas and oceans. That brings them into closer contact with humans than their cold water relatives. By moving from open beaches into coastal caves, the Mediterranean monk seal has been able to reduce its contact with humans, especially during critical times such as giving birth. The Hawaiian monk seal moved to more remote islands for the same reasons.

The Extinct Caribbean Monk Seal

The Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) was declared extinct in the mid-1990s. An easy target as they hauled out to rest on beaches, these monk seals were heavily hunted for blubber, meat and pelts. The last verified sighting of a Caribbean monk seal occurred in1952 in Jamaican waters.

The Mediterranean Monk Seal
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) survives in small numbers (around 500 worldwide) in the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast of Africa. Historically, Mediterranean monk seals hauled out on open beaches to rest and give birth. Most of these seals now seek shelter in coastal or island caves. Hunting by humans, and persecution by fishermen who believe the seals are competition for fish, probably led to this change.

The Hawaiian Monk Seal
The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) population is slightly higher at about 1,500 animals. They were originally found throughout the islands. Hawaiian monk seals have also moved away from humans. With few caves to hide in among the islands, the Hawaiian seals are now found mostly in the more remote northwestern islands.

Protection by Military Activity
Both species have inadvertently been protected by the military. In Africa, the presence of military personnel and land mines near the largest colony of Mediterranean monk seals meant that access to the caves was prevented. As the conflict eases and land mines are removed, this is no longer the case.

http://www.earthtrust.org/wlcurric/seals.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Monk_Seal
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080608074828.htm