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The Milestones of 2016! Another admittedly hard year is finally over, and, despite the difficult conditions MOm, with the help pof members, friends, supporteers and donors, continued its efforts and actions dynamically, achieving many important results on all levels. Let’s take a quick look at what the most important milestones of the past year were:
- The project “The Mediterranean Monk Seal returns to the coasts of Argosaronikos” was completed, signifying the importance of the area to the Mediterranean monk seal. - New reproduction areas have been discovered, while new scientific data for the heavy metal concentration in the tissues of the monk seal, as well as their aquatic sleep and the repertoire they are using while communicating have been published in famous science magazines. - 30 newborn pups have been recorded throughout Greece while our Rescue Network was called upon to intervene in 10 cases where the animals needed immediate assistance. In one of these cases, a newborn male pup was found orphaned on a beach in Chalkidiki and its transfer to MOm’s First Aid Station was deemed extremely necessary. - The actions of the project “Plastic Bag-Free Alonissos” where successfully completed. |
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Little “Bill”, as we named him, has been staying since November 17 at MOm’s First Aid Station, which was kindly provided to us by the Attica Zoological Park. Bill – only three weeks old – was found orphaned on a beach of Chalkidiki. We decided to name him as a tribute to the recently deceased Bill Johnson, a friend of MOm and a pioneer in the efforts to protect the Mediterranean monk seal in Greece. We wanted the sorrow to be replaced by the hope for life. The first tests showed that Bill was facing the same symptoms as all orphaned seal pups: Anemia, high white cell count, dehydration and many parasites. The little seal is responding to treatment very well and we hope that soon he will be able to return to his beloved Aegean Sea.
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"Melina", resident of Piraeus! |
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For the past two years, and after many recorded observations from the southern areas of Attica and all the way to Korinthia, we can safely say that the adult female Mediterranean monk seal known as “Melina”, is a permanent resident of the coasts of Argosaronikos and it seems that her behavior is rather tolerant of the human presence. This fact has helped with the recording (without any technical means) of her position and the routes she has been following, since citizens that observed her notified us immediately, giving us the opportunity to create a map of her journeys! In fact, the data shows that from September till May, Melina disappears and returns every summer to her previous locations. This behavior makes us hope that she retires in more isolated locations to give birth and raise her pup, and when it becomes independent, she returns. Despite her efforts to establish herself as a mascot of the Athenian harbors, we have to point out that she is still a wild animal with unpredictable behavior, therefore, you always have to avoid contact with Melina, and, in case of spotting her, you should notify the port authorities and MOm to take the necessary actions to protect and care for her. In the map you can see the areas where MOm has confirmed Melinaʼs appearances!
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Monk Seal Aquatic Sleep Ever thought if and how Mediterranean monk seals sleep? Do they sleep on land or in the water? Well, actually both! However, while sleeping Mediterranean monk seals on land might not be such a rare sight anymore, monk seals that sleep in water are not that common. The most recent efforts of the research team of MOm have focused on this rare behavior and have resulted in the publication of a scientific article in the next issue of the peer-reviewed journal “Aquatic Mammals”. The collaborative effort between MOm and the Center for Sleep Research of the University of California in Los Angeles describes the first observations of aquatic sleep in the Mediterranean monk seal and is based on information provided by speargun fishermen, but also collected by the research team of MOm. The findings of the study indicate that Mediterranean monk seals are capable of sleeping in water, at the sea surface, but also below, at depths reaching 10m. Such a behavior has been described previously in other seal species as well, but mainly in animals in captivity. The newest study of MOm opens new horizons in our understanding of monk seal behavior (especially habitat use) and has important implications in the management and conservation of the species. |
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Exploring the coastline of Chios, Psara & Oinousses |
Aiming to complete the National catalogue of land shelters of the Mediterranean monk seal and to trace important reproductive sites throughout Greece, MOm's research team arrived at the port of Psara in the beginning of September. Its goal was to record all the shelters of the Psara-Chios-Oinousses area and to evaluate them based on their hospitability for the monk seals. More than 350 nautical miles were travelled and the entire coastline of the aforementioned islands was examined, stretching in a total length of 330 kilometers. The first mission was an absolute success, since a very important area was recorded, the value of which was confirmed by the sighting of a newborn female pup. During November, a new expedition is scheduled, where the team will visit the shelters that were deemed hospitable in order to record the total number of newborn pups and to have a proper estimation of the local monk seal population. |
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The Northern Aegean Dolphin Project 2017 has begun! |
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Following the success of this summer season, it was only a matter of time for next yearʼs Northern Aegean Dolphin Project to begin, with the first interested parties already making their reservations, taking advantage of the early booking discount of 15% that MOm offers until the 31st of December 2016. Many of the participants who joined the project last summer are coming back this year because they consider it one of the best experiences of their lives! Most weeks are starting to fill up, so hurry up if you want to join them! To book your place and participate in this amazing experience, please visit http://www.mom.gr/displayITM1.asp?ITMID=632&LANG=EN
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Plastic Bag - Free Alonissos |
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The actions of the project “Plastic Bag-Free Alonissos”, which was materialized by the Network MESOGEIOS SOS and MOm in collaboration with the Municipality of Alonissos and funded by the THALASSA Foundation, and at the same time with the impressive participation of the islandʼs residents, have been completed. The results of the project where presented in a workshop that was organized in Piraeus and in which, besides the contributors of the project, other representatives of more islands like Santorini, Tinos, Sikinos, Sifnos and Skiathos, that are already following the footsteps of Alonissos, attended as well. The effort for a plastic bag-free Greece has just started and it will surely be a hard course, but the example of Alonissos fills us with hope for whatʼs to come.
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New winter collection for our financial support material!
For those of you who are worried whether this winter will be cold or not, MOm has the solution! New hoodies are now available in different colors for men and women at our website! Please visit http://www.mom.gr/displayITM1.asp?ITMID=94&LANG=EN and find your own now! |
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A big thank you is owed to those who helped us achieve our goals for 2016: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the Thalassa Foundation, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, the Swiss Cetacean Society, the European Commission, the Municipalities of P. Faliron, Syros and Alonissos, the Ariostoteleion University of Thessaloniki, the Acquario di Genova, Hellenic Seaways, Club Med, Sklavenitis Supermarkets, the Attica Zoological Park, the Athens Animal Hospital, Cream advertising agency, Blair Drummond's Safari Park, ANAMET Recycling, as well as everyone that supported MOm’s work, (members, volunteers, donors and colleagues) and we wish everyone a happy new year!
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MΟm / Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal
18 Solomou Str., Athens 10682
Tel.: +30210-5222888, Fax: +30210-5222450
e-mail: support@mom.gr |
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