06/08/2026
Meet ‘Koca Yusuf’, a male Mediterranean monk seal – one of the recognised monk seals in our country… There are six main factors driving the extinction of the Mediterranean monk seal, a rare marine mammal. And none of these are due to natural causes or its natural predators. All the root causes contributing to the species’ endangered status are human-induced. We are working to ensure that this ancient inhabitant of the Mediterranean is not destroyed by human activity, along with its habitats. We are researching, conserving and raising awareness. All the efforts undertaken to protect the seal also protect Posidonia seagrass beds, corals, grouper and dentex, the Audouin's gull and the Eleonora's falcon. In short, protecting the Mediterranean monk seal means protecting the Mediterranean. This is because, due to the monk seal’s need for a vast habitat range, conservation measures safeguard extensive coastal and marine habitats and the biodiversity they contain.
SAD-AFAG’s research and conservation efforts to protect the Mediterranean monk seal and its habitats are supported by The Monk Seal Alliance.
