Rare monk seal colony found in the Mediterranean (BBC) {most endangered seal}

[eppur_se_muova]

By Victoria Gill
Science and nature reporter, BBC News

Scientists have found a colony of rare Mediterranean monk seals at an undisclosed location in Greece.

The species is the world's most endangered seal, and one of the most endangered marine mammals - fewer than 600 individuals remain.

Researchers are keeping the location of the colony secret to avoid having the seals disturbed by human visitors.

It is the only place in the region where seals lie on open beaches, rather than hide in coastal caves.

Alexandros Karamanlidis, scientific co-ordinator of the Mom/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal, explained that this was the seals' "original behaviour".
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9317000/9317582.stm