In 2015 we initiated  a study  to evaluate the conservation status of the Mediterranean monk seal at the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea and propose management measures for the effective conservation of the species in the region.
The entire coastline of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (i.e., including the islands of Strofades) and the southwestern coast of Zakynthos was thoroughly investigated in order to: Record and evaluate all existing marine caves (i.e., monk seal shelters) suitable for pupping and/or resting by the Mediterranean  monk seal.
Record monk seal presence directly (through direct observations) or indirectly (through the presence of hollow depressions, scats, smell etc.) within the monk seal shelters. The study was carried out using a small speed boat and every possible suitable marine cave was thoroughly investigated by snorkeling. It should be noted that for the Strofades islands an ultra--‐light aircraft was used in order to check the coastline for the possible existence of marine caves. In order to evaluate the overall conservation status of the species in the area the information available through the national Rescue and Information Network (RINT; this network is operated by MOm) was considered.
Six (6) suitable monk seal shelters were recorded in the study area, of which one was suitable for pupping. On the beach of this monk seal shelter a fresh track (hollow depression) was recorded, verifying the recent use of the shelter by a Mediterranean monk seal. In addition, two monk seals were observed swimming (most possible in search for food) in the areas of Vassilikos and Ormos Keriou respectively. Furthermore 65 monk seal observations collected through MOm’s RINT were evaluated.
 
Considering the above we conclude that:
  • The presence of the Mediterranean monk seal in the southern part of the island of Zakynthos is permanent. The local monk seal population uses this area mainly while transiting and searching for food.
  • There is no pupping activity within the borders of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos due to very limited availability of suitable habitat in combination to high levels of human disturbance due to tourist activities until mid‐autumn.
 
Following management actions by the Management Body of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos:
  • Organize a simple monitoring scheme of the monk seal in the area  of Ormos Keriou through direct observations.
  • Promote Mediterranean monk seal related environmental awareness activities in the Information Centers of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.

Οι φωτογραφίες του ΕΘΠΖ

Environmental education
ΤοΠάρκο
Environmental education
ΤοΠάρκο
Environmental education
ΤοΠάρκο
Environmental education
ΤοΠάρκο
Volunteers
ΤοΠάρκο
Environmental education
ΤοΠάρκο
Volunteers
ΤοΠάρκο
Volunteers
ΤοΠάρκο
Volunteers
ΤοΠάρκο
Environmental education
ΤοΠάρκο
Ηatchlings
Ωοτοκία
excavation of nest
Ωοτοκία
Endangered species
ΤοΠάρκο Χλωρίδα
Day conference
ΤοΠάρκο
Day conference
ΤοΠάρκο
Day conference
ΤοΠάρκο
Day conference
ΤοΠάρκο
Day conference
ΤοΠάρκο
Day conference
ΤοΠάρκο
ecosystem
Οικοσύστημα
ecosystem
Οικοσύστημα
ecosystem
Οικοσύστημα
Ecosystem
Οικοσύστημα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Geologic Formations
ΓεωλογικοίΣχηματισμοί
Nesting beach of Marathonisi
Παραλίεςωοτοκίας
Nesting beach of Daphni
Παραλίεςωοτοκίας
Nesting beach of Kalamaki
Παραλίεςωοτοκίας
Nesting beach of Kalamaki
Παραλίεςωοτοκίας
Ηatchlings
Ωοτοκία
Geologic Formations
ΓεωλογικοίΣχηματισμοί
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Informing visitors by entering the nesting area
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
information sign of visitors
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
Researching of biology sea turtle
Ωοτοκία
Nest's shape of sea turtle
Εκθεσιακά-ΕνημερωτικάΚέντρα
Laganas Βay
Οικοσύστημα
Laganas Βay
Οικοσύστημα
Nesting beach of Sekania (forbidden access)
Παραλίεςωοτοκίας
Nesting beach of Gerakas
Παραλίεςωοτοκίας
Park rangers in marine area of N.M.P.Z.
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
Exhibiton Centre of sea turtle
Εκθεσιακά-ΕνημερωτικάΚέντρα
Exhibition Centre of sea turtle
Εκθεσιακά-ΕνημερωτικάΚέντρα
Exhibition Centre of sea turtle
Εκθεσιακά-ΕνημερωτικάΚέντρα
Exhibition Centre of Sea turtle
Εκθεσιακά-ΕνημερωτικάΚέντρα
Information centre of N.M.P.Z., in Gerakas - Zakynthos
Εκθεσιακά-ΕνημερωτικάΚέντρα
Signage the Maritime Area of N.M.P.Z.
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
ecotope
Οικοσύστημα
Neptune Grass (Posidonia oceanica)
Χλωρίδα
Orchis
Χλωρίδα
exclusively endemic species, Limonium zacynthium
Χλωρίδα
Orchis laxiflora
Χλωρίδα
ecosystem
Χλωρίδα
ecosystem
Οικοσύστημα
Wetland Lake Keri
Οικοσύστημα
sea daffodil Pancratium maritimum
Οικοσύστημα Χλωρίδα
butterfly, Gonepteryx cleopatra
Πανίδα
insects
Πανίδα
Bat
Πανίδα
ecosystem
Οικοσύστημα
Echinodermata
Οικοσύστημα Πανίδα
Mullus
Πανίδα
ecosystem
Χλωρίδα
Cistus
Χλωρίδα
ecosystem
Πανίδα
fauna
Πανίδα
endangered species
Πανίδα
endangered species
Πανίδα
prohibition recreational fishing
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
Nesting beach's sign
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
Park Ranger of N.M.P.Z.
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
informing visitor
ΠρόγραμμαΠροστασίας-ΔιαχείρισηςΕ.Θ.Π.Ζ.
Flora- Orchis
Χλωρίδα
Fauna
Πανίδα
Καπόνι
Πανίδα