Yesterday evening an adult Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus was seen in resting on the waters of Funchal bay, more precisely near Lido area. This threatened species was once popular in Madeira Island but hunting scared the few individuals that survived to Desertas Islands , south of Madeira. Desertas Islands are now the only breeding place for this small colony of Mediterranean Monk Seals with about 30 individuals.

Observing these spectacular sea mammals along Funchal coast means that this species is getting some confidence about Madeira Island again... Maybe some day we will have the chance to see again these nice seals resting in Câmara de Lobos beach, after all it was due to this behavior that this city was named like that!