Filenews 12 January 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Two births of the rare species Monachus monachus (Mediterranean Monk Seal), in the same cave, in the most touristic area of Cyprus, Ayia Napa, were recorded in recent weeks, something that is happening for the first time on the island. This is an extremely important event for the preservation of the Mediterranean monk seal in Cyprus and with the other two births of this rare species, the total number of individuals rises to 21. Particularly important is the fact that these two births concern the same shelter (sea cave), something that has never been recorded on the island before, and especially in a highly developed tourist area such as Ayia Napa. Births are considered to be an extremely important event for the conservation of the species in Cyprus but also for the effectiveness of the nature protection and management program in our country.
According to the exclusive information of the "F", the newborn seals are under the close supervision of the monitoring team of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in Cyprus, which has recorded all the shelters used by the species, throughout the coastline of the free areas of our island. In fact, with the help of special equipment, the monitoring is 24 hours. The monitoring team collects information on the behaviour of the species (e.g. reproduction, frequency of presence, condition of the animals), in order to study the conservation of its population in Cyprus and its gradual increase.
Critical the early stages of life of newborns
Speaking to "F", the person in charge/ coordinator of the fieldwork of the Monitoring Plan of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in Cyprus, Harry Nikolaou, said that in the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, satisfaction and euphoria prevail these days! Going through the first months of their lives, small seals spend almost the whole day in the cave. Gradually, they begin to move away with the accompaniment of their mothers, following them in finding food. After the end of the lactation period, which lasts about 3 to 4 months, the young animals will become independent from their mothers, without necessarily leaving the cave in which they were born.
The first life of newborns is an extremely critical period for their survival, since the risks they face are too many. Although newborns are able to swim from the first days of life, they are neither strong enough nor experienced enough to cope with severe rough seas, resulting in a great risk of drowning, especially if their mother cannot protect them or if the shelter does not provide adequate protection. It is for this reason that it is extremely important that reproduction shelters are kept away from human nuisance, since in such a case newborns may be disturbed by human presence and in their effort to escape the danger of getting out of the safety provided by the cave. The early exit of newborns from the cave, involves, as it was said before, the serious risk of drowning, since they will not be able to swim for a long time, or even to go out on some remote beach, away from their mother and die of starvation or other dangers. In addition, due to human nuisance, the mother can remove the newborn to another shelter that does not provide the safety of the original shelter, resulting in a serious risk of drowning from severe rough seas.
In addition to the above, the risks for young animals at sea are very many, mainly due to inexperience, with the highest mortality rate in this species being recorded during their first year of life.
The continuous reproduction of an endangered species, which numbers only 700 individuals worldwide, can only be a hopeful and joyful event for Cyprus and a vindication for the efforts made in recent times.
Restoration of a cave for the first time in Europe
In the last 12 years it has been ascertained that the Mediterranean Monk Seal uses sea caves of the Cypriot coastline for reproduction and relaxation. In order to protect this emblematic species, among other measures, decrees have been issued which created Protection Zones around the area of the sea caves in Pegeia and the Halavro area on the Akamas peninsula, which prohibit fishing and the passage of motor boats. Also, by decision of the Minister of Agriculture, a process of expropriation of plots that are very close to breeding shelters of the species is underway as their possible development would cause serious nuisance issues for the species. It is the first time that pieces are expropriated in our country, for the protection of a specific species. Some of the measures for the protection of the Mediterranean Monk Seal are fully in line with the recommendations submitted in a report by the special scientist on the conservation of the species, Dr. Panagiotis Dendrinos. The aim of the measures and the resulting decrees is the protection and proper management of biodiversity in the areas where the species meets, based on the most harmonious coexistence of the seal with humans.
In addition to the above measures, a very pioneering action, unique at European level, concerns the restoration of a sea cave that had collapsed in the Limassol district, which was a refuge of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in the past, with the result that today the animals have returned to this cave and used it successfully.
