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
12 July 2002—10 August 2026
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7 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: Autonomia RTP Madeira
Observation: Monitored with a dorsal wound and signs of debility; wildlife specialists administered antibiotic treatment.
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Date: 2025Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: Fishing interaction: the seal took fish from buoys used by three spearfishers; one buoy was reportedly destroyed.
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Date: 2025Reported: Two unidentified seals Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Multiple-animal sighting: two seals were filmed interacting or playing in the harbour.
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Date: 2024Reported: Unidentified Jornal da Madeira, citing Museu da Baleia da Madeira
Observation: One lobo-marinho was seen at Cais da Pedra d’Eira, initially resting at the sea surface near the quay before approaching it. Museu da Baleia staff reported the encounter and intervention. This is distinct in date from the 17 July Pedradeira sighting.
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Date: 2024Reported: Unidentified RTP Madeira
Observation: Sighting: seen by bathers near the beach.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Madeira Wind Birds, firsthand expedition report
Observation: Madeira Wind Birds recorded one Mediterranean monk seal near Quinta do Lorde marina during its pelagic expedition.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Carlos Freitas photograph; Rosa Pires, Parque Natural da Madeira, in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A monk seal was photographed visiting Caniçal's fishing port.