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
6 January—17 September
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Receive alerts for new public reports. Lock-screen alerts show only the broad Madeira area, never the exact location.
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26 of 129 reports
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Explore by area
Markers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive.
26 of 26 reports mapped · 8 areas
- Calheta4 reports
- Calheta waters1 report
- Câmara de Lobos1 report
- Caniçal1 report
- Caniço1 report
- Funchal10 reports
- Machico1 report
- Santa Cruz7 reports
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 2026
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Visitor report to Seal Watch
Observation: 1 seal observed at 15:00 (Madeira time). Saw her too late so she bit me in my right ankle. I think she might searched for food.
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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: 2026Reported: Unidentified Public
Observation: Around Lido and Gorgulho Islet
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Public
Observation: The monk seal was observed foraging.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: Observed close to shore near Praia Formosa and Doca do Cavacas.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: A brief appearance close to bathers.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Entered the bathing area; swimmers were asked to leave the water.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: Approached bathers near the bathing complex platform.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Lobosonda
Observation: Seen resting at the surface during two early-afternoon whale-watching trips.
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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: 2026Reported: Unidentified young seal Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Rested beside the bathing complex while a safety perimeter was maintained.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: Its appearance prompted a red flag and temporarily kept bathers out of the water.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Lobosonda
Observation: Surfaced repeatedly near whale-watching boats.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified RTP Madeira
Observation: A red flag was raised while the seal remained close to the bathing area.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Public
Observation: Two bathers were bitten and sustained minor injuries; bathing was temporarily suspended and IFCN urged people to avoid interaction.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Madeira Island News Blog
Observation: Observed close to bathers; the report did not establish the animal's identity.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Lobosonda
Observation: Seen during a morning whale-watching trip.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira / RTP Madeira
Observation: Entered or approached the bathing/harbour area.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Observed close to the bathing area during the morning.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Observed moving among moored boats during the afternoon.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Lobosonda
Observation: Seen resting and sunbathing at the surface during an afternoon trip.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Diário de Notícias Madeira / RTP Madeira
Observation: Rested ashore near the coast and was filmed returning to the sea.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Observed near shore, apparently resting at the surface.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Diário de Notícias Madeira
Observation: Filmed by a fisher shortly after midnight; it may have been the individual seen nearby on 5 Feb.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified JM Madeira
Observation: Observed during the afternoon; photo/video supplied by a reader.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified RTP Madeira
Observation: Seen beside Doca do Cavacas during the afternoon and reported swimming along Praia Formosa.