A Record 21 Monk Seal Pups Born in One Greek Marine Park in 2025, the Most in 40 Years

The Mediterranean monk seal is among the world's rarest seals, and Greece holds a large share of what remains. MOm, the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, reported that the 2025 breeding season brought a record 21 births in the National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades, the highest count in 40 years, plus pups from new breeding areas and more use of open beaches. The group also runs a rescue and rehabilitation facility at the Attica Zoological Park in Spata, where a newborn orphan rescued on Kythira was under round-the-clock care in October 2026.