Türkiye · 2000—2026
Mediterranean monk seal
Seals around Türkiye.
Follow public seal observations from Türkiye. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.
- Total reports
- 72
- Latest observation
Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
5 November 2000—13 September 2026
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72 reports
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24 of 72 reports mapped · 5 areas
Other reported areas
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- Akyaka2 reports
- Aliağa1 report
- Anamur1 report
- Aydıncık1 report
- Bozyazı2 reports
- Çeşme2 reports
- Datça5 reports
- Demre3 reports
- Didim1 report
- Dilek Peninsula1 report
- Fethiye1 report
- Gazipaşa2 reports
- Gökova1 report
- Hisarönü1 report
- Istanbul coast2 reports
- Karabiga1 report
- Karaburun1 report
- Kaş3 reports
- Kemer1 report
- Konyaaltı1 report
- Kuşadası2 reports
- Mordoğan4 reports
- Muratpaşa1 report
- Ören1 report
- Samandağ1 report
- Seferihisar1 report
- Türkiye2 reports
- Yalıkavak2 reports
- Yeşilovacık1 report
Map: Natural Earth.
Reports over time
Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Anadolu Ajansı (AA)
Observation: Fishers filmed a seal swimming around their boat off Keykubat Beach. Anadolu Ajansı described it as a Mediterranean monk seal. The footage was published on 13 September; the exact observation date was not stated.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Bodrum Kent TV
Observation: An adult Mediterranean monk seal climbed onto a moored motor yacht in Hebil Bay in the evening. It rested on the boat before returning to the water.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Demirören Haber Ajansı (DHA)
Observation: A seal identified in the report as a Mediterranean monk seal was filmed near the Ayvalık waterfront. A witness described watching it for about ten minutes before it dived out of view. Reported on 18 April; the exact observation date was not stated.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified İHA / Gündem Fethiye / Bodrum Olay
Observation: A seal described as a young Mediterranean monk seal was filmed swimming between boats in Akyarlar fishing harbour, surfacing several times before leaving view.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified İhlas Haber Ajansı (İHA) / Muğla Gazetesi
Observation: An adult Mediterranean monk seal rested on Koyunbaba Beach and was photographed before returning to the sea. Observers reported a wound-like mark on its tail; no veterinary diagnosis was provided.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Demirören Haber Ajansı (DHA)
Observation: A seal was filmed swimming close to the quay at Yalıkavak in the morning. It remained in the area briefly before disappearing from view.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified İHA / Antalya Körfez Gazetesi
Observation: An adult Mediterranean monk seal was reported resting on Mermerli Beach at about 11:30. Marine police attended, and the seal returned to the sea.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Demirören Haber Ajansı (DHA)
Observation: A Mediterranean monk seal came ashore on a hotel beach in Belek and later returned to the sea.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Анастасия Нефедова — iNaturalist (anastasiya_nefedova)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified İhlas Haber Ajansı
Observation: A monk seal swam among boats by Kumbahçe Pier near midday and was filmed by boat operators.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Selçuk Arı / DHA
Observation: SAD-AFAG diver Selçuk Arı filmed one Mediterranean monk seal swimming underwater off Kemerönü.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified simge_1 — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified DHA / SAD-AFAG response report
Observation: A walker found a dead young monk seal in a rock pool. Responders identified it as the pup found at Çaltıcak on 4 December 2024 and later released after rehabilitation; these are two dated encounters with one animal.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Pars Çitilci — iNaturalist (pars)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Antalya Körfez Gazetesi
Observation: A Mediterranean monk seal was filmed along the Muratpaşa cliffs before construction began in the area the next day.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Levent Yenigün / DHA, citing SAD-AFAG
Observation: Researchers found a young Mediterranean monk seal separated from its mother during stormy weather. After monitoring, it was taken into rehabilitation on 8 December.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified İhlas Haber Ajansı
Observation: People fishing beside the Muratpaşa sea cliffs filmed a Mediterranean monk seal surfacing and swimming before it disappeared beneath the cliffs.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Mehmet Çınar / DHA
Observation: Faik Ardahan filmed two Mediterranean monk seals swimming together close to Konyaaltı Beach just after sunrise.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Шальнов Кирилл — iNaturalist (borhammere)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified epistemophagus — iNaturalist
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified İhlas Haber Ajansı / TV100
Observation: Fishers filmed a Mediterranean monk seal swimming among boats while pursuing mullet in Bitez harbour.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Fırat Akay / DHA
Observation: Fishers filmed one Mediterranean monk seal swimming around their boat for about ten minutes off Küdür.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Ahmet Acar / DHA, reproduced by Gün Haber
Observation: Ergun Dündar filmed a young Mediterranean monk seal among boats in Kaş harbour. The account describes morning and evening visits on the same day; they are grouped as one report.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Stas Zakharov — iNaturalist (stas9)
Observation: Photographic observation identified on iNaturalist as Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Akdeniz Koruma Derneği monitoring report
Observation: A camera recorded a Mediterranean monk seal using a monitored dry platform in a Gökova coastal cave for the first time. The exact cave is withheld.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Demirören Haber Ajansı (DHA)
Observation: A Mediterranean monk seal moved between the bridge and moored yachts at Kaş Marina around midday. The observer considered it possibly the same seal seen there before; identity is not established.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Ahmet Acar / DHA
Observation: A monk seal was filmed swimming in Üçağız cove and between the moored yachts. Local boaters thought it might be a previously seen seal, but identity was not verified.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Ergun Dündar / DHA
Observation: Ergun Dündar filmed one monk seal feeding on a ray off Kaleköy. He considered it likely the animal seen at Üçağız in May, without proof of identity.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Ahmet Acar / DHA
Observation: A Mediterranean monk seal swam between yachts moored at Üçağız harbour. Later local encounters may have involved the same animal; its identity is unconfirmed.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2018), original necropsy report
Observation: A dead adult female monk seal was found at Seferihisar and examined by researchers. It was distinct from a carcass washed up at Akyaka the same day.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2018), stranding review
Observation: Another adult monk seal carcass washed up at Akyaka on the same day as the Seferihisar finding. It was too decomposed for necropsy.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2018), original necropsy report
Observation: A dead adult female monk seal was found on the Datça coast; the research team necropsied it on 9 March.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2018), stranding review
Observation: Another dead monk seal pup was reported from the Kaleiçi area and buried without necropsy. This was separate from the carcass found on 25 November.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2018), original necropsy report
Observation: A dead female monk seal pup was found at Kaleiçi. Researchers later necropsied this carcass and found heavy intestinal nematode infestation.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified İhlas Haber Ajansı / Anadolu Ajansı
Observation: A live monk seal pup was found on the beach at Muzkent. It died the following day during response efforts; that later death is not another sighting.
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Date:Reported: Özgecan Cem O. Kıraç / SAD-AFAG
Observation: SAD-AFAG researchers observed and filmed an adult female Mediterranean monk seal from a clifftop near Karabiga. They identified and named her Özgecan.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2014), original necropsy report
Observation: A dead male monk seal pup was found near Yeşilovacık harbour. Researchers examined the carcass the next day and reported emaciation and pneumonia.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2013), TÜDAV
Observation: A dead adult female monk seal was found at Gazipaşa. Researchers identified her as the animal stranded alive at Alanya on 6 July.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Danyer et al. (2013), TÜDAV
Observation: An exhausted adult female monk seal stranded alive at the Historic Alanya Shipyard. A veterinarian treated her, and she was later released.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV)
Observation: An adult male Mediterranean monk seal carcass washed ashore and was found by local water-sports club members. Subsequent necropsy examined injuries and internal bleeding.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified SAD-AFAG field report
Observation: A dead young Mediterranean monk seal was found washed ashore near Meydan village. SAD-AFAG stated that cause of death was unknown pending necropsy.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Anadolu Ajansı citing SAD-AFAG
Observation: A dead monk seal pup was found near Mordoğan; SAD-AFAG reported gunshot evidence. Its death day was earlier and is unknown.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified SAD-AFAG rescue network
Observation: Coast Guard found an orphaned Mediterranean monk seal pup ashore in Bozyazı harbour. This is one of two distinct pups reported that day.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified SAD-AFAG rescue network
Observation: A second injured orphaned monk seal pup was found on the coast near Kaş and reported to SAD-AFAG.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç and N. Ozan Veryeri / SAD-AFAG
Observation: Residents found a live monk seal pup on the beach; it moved in and out of the water during the day. The same pup was seen during the following response, which is grouped here.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç / SAD-AFAG
Observation: Residents observed a dead subadult female monk seal floating near Yalıkavak. Necropsy found gunshot injuries and internal bleeding.
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Date:Reported: Badem Yaşar Anter and Halil Gür / DHA, Hürriyet
Observation: The known monk seal Badem was seen at Ören Halk Plajı, swimming and resting among boats and beach furniture. This is a wild encounter after the animal had been absent from view for a long period, distinct from the previously recorded 2008–09 visits.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG field update
Observation: SAD-AFAG observers found free-ranging Badem at Hisarönü in the afternoon. She was later moved for a veterinary examination.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG field update
Observation: Badem was found resting on a boat away from shore at Datça.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG field update
Observation: SAD-AFAG representative Sezer Çete observed free-ranging Badem at Palamutbükü during a health check.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG field update
Observation: Badem was seen at Palamutbükü in the late afternoon after moving from the Bodrum coast.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG field update
Observation: Badem was seen again on the Bodrum coast the following day.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG field update
Observation: Badem was seen on the Bodrum coast while free-ranging.
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Date:Reported: Badem Cem O. Kıraç and Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG
Observation: Badem was free-ranging in shallow water at Akyaka when several people swam with her. The account describes defensive bites after they tried to move her toward the beach.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: Marina staff photographed a young monk seal swimming among boats in Kemer Marina. The pup left the area later the same day.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç and Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG
Observation: The adult female monk seal photographed on 8 December was observed again along the northern Sea of Marmara coast.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç and Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG
Observation: A local observer photographed an adult female Mediterranean monk seal along the northern Sea of Marmara coast. The same animal was seen again two days later.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A monk seal pup was seen on a pebble beach near Kaş, sheltering by shoreline vegetation. It later returned to the sea on its own.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Cem O. Kıraç / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: Locals photographed a young monk seal pup on a beach near Ölüdeniz. It left on its own later that day.
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Date:Reported: Badem SAD-AFAG / contemporaneous reporting
Observation: A young Mediterranean monk seal was found swimming and then resting on the beach at Didim. The wild encounter date is distinct from the subsequent rescue and rehabilitation.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A dead monk seal was found at Anamur. Advanced decomposition prevented a necropsy.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A dead juvenile monk seal was found at Alaçatı. Advanced decomposition prevented a necropsy.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: Fishers found a debilitated adult male monk seal stranded at Dil Lake. Responders assessed him the next day; he later died during treatment.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Harun Güçlüsoy / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: A dead adult female monk seal was found at Gözsüzce village. Necropsy suggested drowning, possibly after fishing gear entanglement.
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Date:Reported: Yeşim SAD-AFAG field report
Observation: A young female monk seal later called Yeşim was found weak on the Çandarlı Gulf coast. SAD-AFAG treated her on site, and she returned to the sea; later survival was uncertain.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Güçlüsoy et al. (2004), field table
Observation: An adult female monk seal was found dead on the Kuşadası coast. The field paper reports head trauma.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Güçlüsoy et al. (2004), field table
Observation: A female monk seal pup was recorded dead near Çeşme. The authors attributed death to entanglement and drowning.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified N. Ozan Veryeri / SAD-AFAG in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: Researchers recovered the remains of a newborn female monk seal pup underwater at Aslan Burnu. This is a dead finding; the exact death date is unknown.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Güçlüsoy et al. (2004), field table
Observation: Researchers recorded a dead juvenile monk seal on the Datça Peninsula. Cause of death was not established.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified SAD-AFAG field team in The Monachus Guardian
Observation: Researchers encountered a newborn monk seal pup with its mother during cave checks. Three female seals were also seen outside the cave at different times that day; overlapping identities prevent a total count.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Güçlüsoy et al. (2004), field table
Observation: A dead juvenile female monk seal was recorded at Mordoğan. The authors attribute death to entanglement and drowning.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Güçlüsoy et al. (2004), field table
Observation: A female monk seal pup was recorded dead at Mordoğan. The record is a carcass finding, not a live encounter.