Residents of Arkitsa were surprised Thursday to find a young seal stranded on a road in the coastal town in central Greece, prompting a swift response to guide the marine mammal back to the sea.
With guidance from MOm – the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal – and the immediate action of the Coast Guard and local residents, the animal, identified as a Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), “soon returned safely to the sea,” the group said in a statement.
Local reports, citing a resident, said the small seal likely followed a drainage pipe that empties into the sea and suddenly emerged on land through a manhole about 150 to 200 meters from the shoreline.
The young marine mammal did not appear frightened, while residents stayed alongside it to protect it from passing vehicles until specialists arrived.
MOm said that if people encounter a Mediterranean monk seal, they should keep their distance, avoid approaching or attempting to move the animal, refrain from pouring water on it or feeding it, and immediately contact the organization.
The global Mediterranean monk seal population is estimated at roughly 800 to 1,000 animals, making it one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. About two-thirds are believed to live and breed along Greek coasts.