25.09.2024 – A Sleepy Seal

We have yet to discuss my personal love for the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus). Dare I say these rarely seen pinnipeds amaze me more than some species of dolphin or whale? It’s not just because of their rarity (today’s sighting marked only the sixth time this summer that we’ve seen one), but because of what they represent. Much like historically overexploited whales (i.e., Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and especially the right whales (Eubalaena spp.)), monk seals are great survivors. They’ve faced centuries of overexploitation for their fur, which dates back to the ancient Romans; they’ve faced dramatic climatic changes; and (in modern times) they’ve faced the pollution and degradation of their habitat. To face this, they’ve changed their behaviour, going from gregarious, showy, and beach lounging seals to cave dwellers hiding from the elements and the humans that threatened them. They’ve retained this behaviour, and now their lives are lived entirely out of human sight—no mean feat considering how many of us now exist. With only 500 remaining worldwide, the good news is the population of monk seals in some spots (including potentially Madeira) is increasing, with them slowly returning to some of their natural range! With all this work done purely to survive, it’s no surprise that the individual we saw today was taking himself a well-earned rest, and with their future looking hopeful, it’s no surprise that he was resting with a smile on his face!!

By Peter Worth

Sightings of the Day

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales

14:00 Bottlenose dolphins

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Mediterranean Monk Seal

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins