Cypriot authorities have successfully rescued a 10-day-old Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), one of Europe’s rarest marine mammals, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment announced.
The rescue operation began after the discovery of a dead adult seal on November 18, 2024, off the coast of Famagusta. A post-mortem examination revealed that the animal died due to complications during childbirth. Following this, a monitoring team from the Ministry, alongside the Fisheries and Marine Research Department, launched a search for the newborn.
On November 21, the seal pup was located in a rocky coastal area with the assistance of lifeguards. It was promptly transferred to the Cyprus Marine Aquaculture Research Center in Meneou, where it received immediate care. The pup was named “Panagis” in honor of the religious celebration of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos.
To ensure the seal’s survival, the Ministry organized its airlift to Greece under the guidance of Minister Maria Panayiotou. The transfer was made possible through the generous offer of a Greek air transport company, which provided their services as part of their corporate social responsibility. This marked the first such operation in Cyprus.
The seal was handed over to the Mediterranean Monk Seal Study and Protection Organization (MOm), which operates a rehabilitation center at the Attica Zoological Park in Greece. MOm’s specialized team, with extensive experience in caring for marine mammals, will monitor the seal’s health and recovery.
Since arriving at the facility on November 22, Panagis has been receiving continuous medical attention. Early tests show positive signs, although the pup will be closely monitored for complications related to the absence of maternal care, which increases the risks. If the recovery progresses smoothly, the seal will stay in the rehabilitation center for the next 4-5 months before being prepared for release back into the waters of Cyprus.
The Mediterranean monk seal is considered the rarest marine mammal in Europe, with an estimated global population of only around 700 individuals. In Cyprus, the population is thought to number around 20-22 seals.
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to implement extensive conservation efforts to protect the species, including the establishment of marine protected areas, monitoring of seal habitats, and collaborations with Greece, which hosts the largest population of Mediterranean monk seals.
The Ministry expressed its gratitude to all those involved in the successful rescue mission, including the Greek air transport company, MOm staff, lifeguards, the Cyprus Coast Guard, and Ministry personnel, for their dedication and sensitivity in saving “Panagiis.”
The Ministry’s ongoing goal is to preserve the island’s wildlife, with a particular focus on protecting rare and iconic species such as the Mediterranean monk seal.
