IFAW's involvement with the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus Monachus) stems from long ago - to be precise from 15 January 1985. This was the day when the founder of IFAW, Brian Davies, donated 0.000 for the conservation of the species.

The largest part of this money was used in 1990 to provide the Greek NGO MOm/the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, with a funding grant of 100.000 USD. This grant allowed to purchase a 13 meter wooden research boat named 'IFAW-ODYSSIA', a high-speed patrol boat named 'ALONNISOS', and a VW van, which are all still in use. MOm used the boats and the van to the advantage of monk seal conservation in the Northern Sporades. With great success and enthusiasm, IFAW continues co-operating very closely with MOm.

Early 1985, IFAW financed a research trip of the French biologist Didier Marchessaux to Mauritania, which resulted in the rediscovery of a monk-seal colony along the coastline of the Mauritanian peninsula Cap Blanc and along the Morocco-Polisario coastline. Ultimately, it led to the creation of a nature reserve in the area in April 1986. Very recently, the IFAW research boat Song of the Whale conducted a field trip in search of monk seals along the coastline of Mauritania and Morocco.

In Madeira, IFAW helped establish the monk seal reserve in the Desertas Islands. The regular birth of young seals proves that the number of seals is growing.

Recently IFAW, on the request and financed by the government of Monaco, organized field studies in search of monk seals in Albania and Morocco. Seals were found indeed. A report will be published soon.

The above describes only a small part of IFAWs monk seal conservation efforts. They were very successful in helping the species survive. We will continue to do so.

• About the monk seal
• IFAW's Song of the Whale
• IFAW Supports the Mediterranean Monk Seal

Related websites:

• www.mom.gr