Greece · 2001—2026
Mediterranean monk seal
Seals around Greece.
Follow public seal observations from Greece. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.
- Total reports
- 88
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Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
8 September 2001—11 September 2026
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88 reports
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Explore by area
Markers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive.
79 of 88 reports mapped · 10 areas
- Arcadia1 report
- Attica6 reports
- Central Greece6 reports
- Cyclades14 reports
- Dodecanese8 reports
- Ionian Islands9 reports
- North Aegean25 reports
- Peloponnese2 reports
- South Aegean1 report
- Thessaly7 reports
Other reported areas
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Reports over time
Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Evima / Matina Retsa
Observation: One large seal was filmed swimming near Pontikou beach at Aliveri, Evia. Evima published the local report and video on 11 September; the exact encounter date is not stated.
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Date: 2026Reported: Calypso Cyclades Live, citing a local witness post
Observation: A seal identified in a local witness post as Calypso was reported resting on Korissia beach, Kea, on 27 August. Cyclades Live reproduced the account and reported that MOm had been informed.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Symi TV, reported by Newsbeast and Parallaxi
Observation: One seal was filmed leaving the water and resting on Gyala beach in Nimborio, Symi. The Symi TV footage was reported on 24 August; the precise filming date is not established.
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Date: 2026Reported: Alexis MOm, reported by Newsbomb
Observation: A newborn seal named Alexis was reported alone along the western coast of Spetses for three consecutive days before being taken into MOm's care. The 23 August report describes dehydration and low weight. The individual observation dates are not specified.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Peter (@petermez7), reported by Eleftheros Typos
Observation: One seal was filmed swimming through shallow water at Kineta beach. The original video caption gives Kineta and 11 August 2026.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified young seal Gegonota / Konstantina Kiritsova
Observation: A young Mediterranean monk seal was photographed resting on Agia Vaso beach in South Pelion on 7 August. The local report credits the photograph to Konstantina Kiritsova.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified mother and pup MOm, reported by ProtoThema
Observation: MOm researchers reported a female newborn Mediterranean monk seal alongside her mother in a coastal cave in the Aegean. The island and exact observation date were not disclosed. The report was published on 29 July.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Symi TV, reported by Flash
Observation: One seal was filmed swimming close to shore at Marathounta beach on Symi. Flash published the Symi TV footage on 1 July; the exact encounter date is not stated.
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Date: 2026Reported: Calypso MOm, reported by Ecozen
Observation: MOm reported Calypso resting on several Kythnos beaches in the days before 18 June. The rehabilitated young seal carried a satellite transmitter. This entry groups the reported visits because individual dates and beaches were not supplied.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified iefimerida
Observation: One seal, described as about one metre long, was reported swimming in shallow water at Agios Georgios beach in Xeno, Salamina. Published on 6 June; the exact observation day is not stated.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified iefimerida / Onlarissa
Observation: A Mediterranean monk seal was reported swimming close to shore at Velika, on the Agia coast. The report cites a video narrated by Grigoris Kalagias.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Ta Nea / iRafina
Observation: One seal was filmed swimming off Panorama, Rafina, near the mouth of the Megalo Rema stream on the afternoon of Saturday 2 May.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Anatolika24 / iRafina
Observation: A resident recorded one seal swimming along the Koroni coast in Porto Rafti. The report was published on 9 March; the exact filming date is not stated.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Aeolos TV
Observation: One seal appeared in the waters along the Mytilene waterfront around midday on Saturday 7 March. Passers-by watched and recorded it.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified young seal Lamia Report
Observation: A young seal was photographed and filmed on a road in Arkitsa on the morning of 26 February. Residents and a coastguard officer accompanied it back to the sea.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Naxos Times
Observation: One seal was reported swimming and surfacing in Tinos harbour on the morning of 19 February. Residents and visitors recorded its appearance.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Vradini / To Astros tis Thalassis
Observation: One seal was filmed beside a floating pontoon in Paralio Astros harbour on the evening of 7 February. Reports describe it swimming near the harbour and appearing to feed.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified pup Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
Observation: A seal pup was found on Lipsi and attended by Archipelagos researchers after residents reported it. The pup was transferred for rehabilitation via Leros. Reported on 30 January; the exact discovery date is not given.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Stella T. (Sitronella) — iNaturalist (stella_sitro)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified East Attica Cruises — iNaturalist (east_attica_cruises)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Yassin Jemili — iNaturalist (yassin94588)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified georgedros — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Falk Viczian Solarboot-Projekte gGmbH — iNaturalist (solarboot-projekte)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Mammal Watching field account by James Eaton
Observation: The observer reported seeing one monk seal feeding in shallow water between 13:30 and 14:30 while anchored around Lichadonisia. The individual was not named or photo-identified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified guilhermebdias — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified bertvanwijk — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jamie Rhodes — iNaturalist (jamierhodes1)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Konstantinos Kalaentzis — iNaturalist (konstakal)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Octopus Foundation
Observation: A second pup birth was recorded. Distance from the camera prevented individual identification.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jonathan Ben Simon — iNaturalist (jonathanbensimon)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Big Stars and pup Octopus Foundation
Observation: Cameras recorded Big Stars giving birth at about 05:30. Mother and pup remained for six days.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Αριστοτέλης Σκιαδαρέσης — iNaturalist (aristotelis_skiadaresis)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified MARIA SYNATIKA — iNaturalist (marieta55)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jannik Peters — iNaturalist (yonnix)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Octopus Foundation
Observation: A pup birth was recorded in another monitored cave. The mother's identity was not established.
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Date:Reported: Big Stars and pup Octopus Foundation
Observation: Researchers documented Big Stars giving birth; their 2022 comparison identifies the mother and the same calendar date in 2021.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Animal Zone International / Amorgos Diving Center
Observation: A second newborn female monk seal pup was found weak at a remote Aegiali beach and taken into care. Animal Zone later reported that she died while being transported for treatment. Kept separate from the Katapola pup.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Animal Zone International / Litsa Passari
Observation: A newborn female monk seal pup was found at Katapola port. Local Animal Zone volunteers monitored her in the wild; the next morning she had moved away. No later outcome is known.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Aris Iosif — iNaturalist (arisios)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Chris Taklis — iNaturalist (ctaklis)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Yiannis Banakakis — iNaturalist (yiannisbanak)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Kyriakì Octopus Foundation
Observation: Remote cameras recorded a mother giving birth to the pup named Kyriakì.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified EMMANOUIL SYMIGDALAS — iNaturalist (eman_symigdalas)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Chris Taklis — iNaturalist (ctaklis)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal reported by a fisherman.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Two adult or subadult seals were seen moving together by a researcher.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal reported by a fisherman.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal sighted by a researcher.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: A decomposed adult male seal carcass was found. Researchers reported evidence of a gunshot wound.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: A decomposed adult female seal carcass was found. Researchers reported no evidence of negative human interaction.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal reported by the port authority.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Two adult or subadult seals were seen swimming together near the coast by a researcher.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal reported by the port authority.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Pup sighted by a diver near a known seal cave.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal reported by a fisherman.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal sighted by a diver near a known seal cave.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal reported by the port authority.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal sighted by a researcher and photographed.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal sighted by a researcher.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: A decomposed adult male seal carcass was found. Cause of death was not determined.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: The same female pup was sighted by a researcher, the fourth dated encounter in this sequence.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: The same female pup was sighted by a researcher and photographed.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: The same female pup was sighted by a researcher after its 3 September record.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Female pup sighted by a researcher; the study matched it to the pup seen on 7–9 September.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal sighted by a researcher.
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Date:Reported: Argiro Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: A fresh carcass of a subadult female seal identified locally as Argiro was found. Researchers reported evidence of a gunshot wound.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pietroluongo et al. (2022)
Observation: Adult or subadult seal sighted by a researcher.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Giorgos Ktenas and Maria Kadroudi / IN Komotini
Observation: Giorgos Ktenas found a seal resting on the beach, and Maria Kadroudi photographed and filmed it. A separate claim that it had a mate was not confirmed for this encounter.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Dimokratiki tis Rodou / regional fisheries department
Observation: An adult female seal was observed resting on Ixia beach. A regional fisheries official described the animal as appearing healthy and moulting. A prior visit to Anthony Quinn beach was mentioned without an exact day and is grouped as context.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified iefimerida newsroom
Observation: Residents found a small seal on Gytheio beach. Local port officers attended, and the seal later returned to the sea. Species is attributed to the report.
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Date:Reported: Fokionas MOm
Observation: A weak and dehydrated three-month-old monk seal later named Fokionas was found on Syros and transferred for rehabilitation.
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Date:Reported: Lazarus MOm / The Monachus Guardian
Observation: An orphaned monk seal pup later named Lazarus was found off Evia during rough weather and rescued. It subsequently died in rehabilitation on 25 October.
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Date:Reported: Nefeli MOm
Observation: An orphaned female monk seal pup later named Nefeli was found stranded at Assos beach and transferred for rehabilitation.
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Date:Reported: Artemis MOm / The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A newborn female monk seal pup was found on Blefoutis beach after a strong winter storm. MOm's diary states that she was discovered on 10 December, then rescued and rehabilitated; later release and death are separate events.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Dendrinos et al. (2008)
Observation: Researchers directly observed six pups resting or swimming in one monitored cave on the same field-survey day. This is one cave encounter, separate from the other cave recorded that day.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Dendrinos et al. (2008)
Observation: A monk seal pup was observed swimming in a second monitored cave on Gyaros. Kept separate from the six pups recorded in another cave that day.
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Date:Reported: Victoria MOm / The Monachus Guardian
Observation: Viktoria Drouga found a newborn female monk seal pup struggling in storm waves at Kolimpithra beach. The pup was later named Victoria and taken into care.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Bjoern Lovén / The Monachus Guardian; MOm response
Observation: At 14:30 the observer heard a noise and saw a grey monk seal swim from a cave at very close range, then recorded it swimming and cave activity. The source describes this as a separate sighting from 25 April; no distinct individual claim is made.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Bjoern Lovén / The Monachus Guardian; MOm response
Observation: The observer reported one monk seal swimming in poor visibility during the late afternoon. The later 27 April encounter made the observer confident that this first sighting was also a seal; the two sightings are retained as separate dated encounters without inferring that they were different animals.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Dendrinos et al. (2008)
Observation: A female monk seal was observed nursing her pup on an open beach during a field survey. The two linked Table 1 rows describe this one mother-pup encounter.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Dendrinos et al. (2008)
Observation: A female Mediterranean monk seal pup was observed resting on an open beach during a field survey. This report describes one individual row, not the survey total.
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Date:Reported: Belucci and Moskof Alexandros Karamanlidis / MOm, The Monachus Guardian
Observation: MOm responders found a newborn pup in rough water near Platamonas and watched it come ashore while its mother remained nearby. MOm later named them Moskof and Belucci.
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Date:Reported: Hippocrates MOm / The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A two-week-old male monk seal pup was found stranded on Kefalos beach after stormy weather. The mother did not return, so MOm transferred the pup for rehabilitation.
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Date:Reported: Dimitris MOm, LIFE programme report
Observation: An orphaned Mediterranean monk seal pup later named Dimitris was found on Karpathos in poor condition and transferred for rehabilitation.
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Date:Reported: Chionati MOm / The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A monk seal pup was found lying on the beach below Pili after stormy weather. The mother did not return during a two-hour watch, and MOm rescued the approximately one-week-old pup. It later died in rehabilitation on 8 November.
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Date:Reported: Andreas Jeny Androukaki / MOm, The Monachus Guardian
Observation: An abandoned monk seal pup later named Andreas was found on the Lipsi coast. It was taken into care and later died from an infection.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jeny Androukaki / MOm, The Monachus Guardian
Observation: MOm researchers found a dead monk seal pup, partially covered by rocks, in a cave. The source reports injuries and suggests storm conditions; cause is not certain.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Panos Dendrinos / MOm, The Monachus Guardian
Observation: MOm field researchers recorded a newborn Mediterranean monk seal pup on Kimolos. The birth date was not established.