Monk Seal: sighting close the coast of Capri
On Sunday 7 May, some boaters sighted and videotaped a monk seal about 2.3 miles off the west coast of the island of Capri.
Thanks to the report from the researchers of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station in Naples, ISPRA staff immediately contacted the spotters to validate the information and enter the data collected as part of the national monitoring program on this species.
The anatomical details reported and observed also in the video, made by Lucia Sonnati and Andrea Tittozzi, suggest that it is probably an adult specimen.
In case of a sighting, we remind you that it is important to adopt the best practices summarized below:
- Reduce all sources of disturbance, remain silent and avoid physical contact and pursuit of the animal
- Maintain a safety distance of 50 meters in case of sightings on the ground
- Shut down or reduce the speed of the boat's engines, in case of a sighting at sea
- Contact the Port Authority on 1530 and ISPRA on the email address focamonaca@isprambiente.it
Video of the sighting