Mediterranean monk seals 151
TABLE 1 Details of the camera-trap recordings from the cave (Figs 1 & 2, Plate 1) in which we constructed a ledge for the monk seal Monachus monachus. Each event comprises three images (taken at 1-s intervals) and one 15-s video.
Nocturnal triggers
Total number of triggered events Number of seal-triggered events Total recordings (s) Seal recordings (s)
252 45
4,536 810
Diurnal triggers
153 14
2,754 252
TABLE 2 Details of the use of the marine cave by a juvenile monk seal.
Date
24 March 2020 04.09.40 30 April 2020 05.53.20 10 May 2020 02.14.40 13 May 2020 05.19.39
Entry time Exit time Duration of cave use 09.05.53 4 h 56 min 13 s
06.45.44 52 min 24 s 02.48.49 34 min 9 s 05.57.16 37 min 37 s
This intervention was the first construction of an artificial
dry ledge in amarine cave forMediterraneanmonk seals, and the first to provide evidence that such a ledge can be discov- ered and used by a seal. As habitat loss and degradation are the most significant threats to this species, increasing the number of potential cave habitats for resting and/or pupping by improving cave structure could potentially be an impor- tant method for the conservation and protection of this spe- cies. However, consideration of impacts on existing habitats (e.g. those of sessile invertebrates inside caves), alongside dis- cussions with monk seal experts, responsible governmental agencies and any local stakeholders, is essential. The use of this artificial ledge by an Endangered Mediterranean monk seal contributes potentially important information to support future conservation of the species. Futuremonitoring should determine the suitability of this artificial habitat for pupping, which is key to supporting monk seal populations.We con- tinue to monitor this cave by camera trap.
Acknowledgements We thank colleagues and volunteers with the Mediterranean Conservation Society for their collaboration during this study, Gabriella Church and Katy Walker of Fauna & Flora International for their comments, and the Prince Bernhard Nature Fund, Fauna & Flora International and the Endangered Landscapes Programme, which is managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and funded by Arcadia, a charitable trust of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, for their support.
Author contributions Ledge design: ES, ZAK; monitoring design: all authors; fieldwork: ES, ZAK; data analysis, writing: ES, HG.
Conflicts of interest None.
Ethical standards This research abided by the Oryx guidelines on ethical standards. The permit for ledge construction and monitoring was provided by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urban- ization (24 May 2019, 70879856-250-E.117731).
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Oryx, 2023, 57(2), 149–151 © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605321001046
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