An endangered Mediterranean monk seal made a rare appearance on a beach in Jaffa, located south of Tel Aviv, attracting a fascinated crowd. The female seal, referred to as Yulia, was discovered by a boy who named her before alerting the Nature and Parks Authority. Yulia is expected to remain on the beach for a few days to shed her skin, as explained by marine ranger Harel Baz.
Baz expressed hope that Yulia would take her time and spend as much time as possible in their vicinity. Visitors, including both children and adults, gathered to observe Yulia, who was comfortably lounging on the beach behind protective metal bars. She seemed unperturbed by the attention and occasionally moved around in the sand.
According to Baz, the same seal, known as Tugra, was first spotted in Turkey in 2007. He explained that this species prefers the cool beach caves of Greek and Turkish islands and rarely ventures onto the sunlit shores of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.
The global population of Mediterranean monk seals is estimated to be between 400 and 500 individuals, making them one of the most endangered marine mammal species, according to Baz. The appearance of Yulia in Israel is a notable event, providing an opportunity for people to witness and appreciate this rare and precious creature.