Interesting: Rare Monk Seals spotted off coast of Cyprus

TEN rare monk-seals have been spotted off the coast of Limassol in Cyprus, prompting the government to take measures to protect them.

The seals were spotted near Governor’s Beach, with fishermen being urged to take precautions – seals are often killed in fishermen’s nets.

The monk seal is a pinniped belonging to the family Phocidae. At some 450–510 remaining individuals, it is believed to be the world's rarest pinniped species, and one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

It is present in parts of the Mediterranean Sea as well as eastern Atlantic Ocean waters around the Tropic of Cancer.

Credit: FG