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
28 August—22 November
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2 of 129 reports
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All areasMarkers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive.
2 of 5 reports mapped · 1 area
Other reported areas
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Map: Natural Earth.
Reports over time
All datesSelect a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Months in 2018
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date:Reported: Fêmea Y and Parêntesis (mothers; source-attributed) Madeira Regional Government, reporting IFCN field observations
Observation: Wardens reported two mothers with pups, one pair on a beach and one at a cave entrance. The mothers were identified as Fêmea Y and Parêntesis.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Luís Rocha / Funchal Notícias
Observation: Funchal Notícias illustrated its Deserta Grande visit with a seal observed that day, described as a large animal.