The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal was founded in 1988 by a group of biologists and researchers from the University of Athens. The Society is also known as MOm, from the scientific name for the Mediterranean monk seal –(MO)nachus (m)onachus. This group, with strong grounding in ecology and zoology, had realized that the Mediterranean monk seal was in serous danger of extinction. And they were aware that they needed the involvement of the people of Greece to prevent this happening.
With a mission to understand the biology, ecology and behavior of the species and to protect it, MOm has developed a three pronged attack:
- Research was, and still is, needed to understand the requirements of the Mediterranean monk seal, especially within Greece. Surveys to determine population, habitat needs and potential threats are ongoing. Most of the work focuses on the National Marine Park of Alonnissos, which MOm was instrumental in establishing. National Marine Park status means that fishing is carefully regulated and the ecosystem is monitored not just for the seals, but to ensure that the marine life within the park remains healthy.
- Education of the community is always an integral part of ensuring the survival of any wildlife. Fishing cooperatives, schools and local organizations on Skopelos and Alonissos learn about the monk seal and its value to the area. They in turn, provide MOm with sightings of monk seals in their area and assist with rescues. Public information kiosks reach over 50,000 visitors each year. And over 60,000 children have participated in environmental education projects with MOm.
- Rehabilitation of orphaned, sick or injured animals is the third part of the equation. With a population of less than 500 worldwide, every monk seal is valuable to the survival of the species. A small field station in Alonnissos serves as hospital and nursery where seals are nursed back to health and raised until they are able to live on their own in the wild. To date, 14 seals have been successfully released back to the wild.
Pups that are rescued but do not survive, along with any monk seals found dead on the beach, are given post mortem examinations. With so few monk seals left in the world, knowledge gained from dead animals can be critical to the survival of the living.