The Monachus Monachus Mediterranean monk seal, whose existence is attested from Homer's odyssey, is the most threatened marine mammal in Europe and the rarest of the 33 species of seals in the world. The number of surviving individuals is estimated at around 800, half of whom live and reproduces in Greece. They can travel long distances to swimming in a few weeks or months and dive up to 200 meters deep in search of food, their diet being made up of fish and, mainly, octopus, which they are very fond of.

When putting down and breastfeeding, females are looking for inaccessible sea caves. As an adult female gives birth to one small per year, the protection of habitats and low -cost monk sealing sites is crucial for the survival of the species. The Mediterranean monk seal is mainly threatened by human activity (fishing, navigation, marine pollution).