(MMA / 30-09-09)  Last week the birth of a monk seal pup was registered on a beach in the sea-land reserve of Cabo Blanco peninsula (Nouadhibu, Mauritania). The female, young, and the pup that is also a female, were located near a cliff by the monk seal patrol from the CBD-Habitat Foundation of the reserve, who confirmed the good condition of the animals.

This finding means an event of global importance for the conservation of the species, as it is the first time that a birth of Mediterranean monk seal is registered on a beach in its global range and since the fifteenth century.

Until that time, and to protect themselves from humans and predators, the monk seal gave births on beaches of lit islets or on the mainland near cliffs, considered as the optimum place for reproduction. However, due to the persecution they suffered by human beings, they were almost exterminated in the world and those that survived did so sheltered in deep caves of the coast, some even with underwater entrance.

Furthermore, the mortality of pups born in the caves is high due to the blows they suffer by the strong surge that is inside the caves. Because of this reason, experts have proposed for years actions to promote that seals return to breed on beaches, showing with this birth that the species is able to recover their lost habitat, since it was doubted that they could change their breeding habits.

The birth of the new pup has been favoured by the actions of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Environment in the implementation of the Action Plan for the recovery of this species, under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). With this purpose, the MARM promoted the sign of a Memorandum of Understanding for execution among the four countries of the Atlantic area (Spain, Morocco, Portugal and Mauritania) in Tenerife last year.

NETWORK OF AREAS FOR CONSERVATION OF THE SPECIES

The Plan promotes the cooperation between them and it is coordinated by the service of endangered species of the MARM. With the birth of this pup one of its priority aims is accomplished, which also includes a network of areas for conservation of the species.

Under the Plan a project  funded by Spain is being implemented in Mauritania for the colony in Cabo Blanco, by the Spanish Foundation CBD-Habitat, together with the Moroccan authorities (INRH, E&F) and authorities from  Mauritania (INRH, PNBA) several local NGOs and Tragsega.

The project also receives financial support from the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Environment, the Spanish Agency of International Development Cooperation, OA National Parks, Biodiversity Foundation and the General Secretariat of the Sea, and internationally, from the International Foundation MAVA, MCSS, Euronatur and Oceancare.

The project patrols the reserve where the caves for breeding are, controls and monitors the colony, and carries out the initiatives of cooperation with Mauritania in environmental education, training sustainable fishing and fishing safety and in disclosure and participation of the Spanish fishing fleet operating in those waters.

At the beginning of the project (year 2000), only a hundred seals survived. Thanks to the efforts made in recent years under the draft MARM and Action Plan, the situation has significantly improved, having doubled the population nowadays. Good results that are being achieved have been served for organizations such as IUCN, at its last meeting in Barcelona, to adopt a resolution urging governments of the countries to continue supporting their efforts in conserving this flagship species.

ONE OF THE MOST ENDANGERED MAMMALS IN THE WORLD

The Mediterranean monk seal is one of 10 most endangered mammals in the world. According to IUCN there are fewer than 500 specimens, refugees in isolated enclaves of the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. In Spain, until the middle of last century, they still breed on the shores of the Balearic Islands, East coast of the peninsula and Canary Islands.

Today, it is extinct in the peninsula and it is only present in Chafarinas Islands (Melilla) and in the Canary Islands, where specimens occasionally appear. In the Atlantic there are two populations, one in the Deserted Islands (Madeira) and the other one on the peninsula of Cape Blanco. This one is the most important and the only one left in the world that forms a colony.