Madeira · 2000—2026
Mediterranean monk seal
Madeira’s wild return.
Follow public reports of Madeira’s rare monk seals, known locally as lobo-marinho. Their main refuge is the Desertas Islands, with animals also seen around Madeira’s coast.
About Madeira’s monk seals
In Madeira, Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) form a small resident population. These seals feed mainly on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, and depend on quiet coastal waters and sheltered beaches or sea caves for resting, giving birth and nursing—making respectful distance essential to their recovery.
- Total reports
- 129
- Latest observation
Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
18 July 2024—16 September 2026
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3 of 129 reports
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Explore by area
All areasMarkers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive.
105 of 129 reports mapped · 12 areas
- Calheta17 reports
- Calheta waters1 report
- Câmara de Lobos3 reports
- Caniçal1 report
- Caniço1 report
- Desertas Islands17 reports
- Funchal41 reports
- Machico7 reports
- Porto Santo3 reports
- Ribeira Brava1 report
- Santa Cruz12 reports
- Santana1 report
Other reported areas
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Map: Natural Earth.
Reports over time
Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: One monk seal was reported near the recreational platform at Praia do Vigário. Bathers were advised to leave the water. Archived under the report's publication date, 16 September 2026; the exact observation date is uncertain because the article says Thursday afternoon, while the displayed date falls on a Wednesday.
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Date: 2025Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: Sighting / swimmer interaction: a seal approached and surprised a swimmer in the bathing area.
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Date: 2024Reported: Unidentified RTP Madeira
Observation: Sighting: seen beside the sea-access steps; no link to adjacent-date reports was established.