First documented monk seal (Monachus monachus, Hermann, 1779) sightings in Montenegro in 21st century

The most endangered mammal of the Mediterranean – the monk seal (Monachus monachus, Hermann 1779) has not been documented in Montenegro for more than 50 years, although there were several credible cases of eyewitnesses who claimed to have seen it, but without material evidence. Working on various projects related to this species, video recordings made by members of the Mediterranean Center for Environmental Monitoring (MedCEM) in 2023 and 2024 clearly indicate that nowadays we can consider the monk seal to be present in Montenegro – at least occasionally. It is extremely important to continue all kinds of education on habitat protection, data collection and monitoring of this species so that the most endangered mammal of the Mediterranean could get a second chance to recolonize the area that was once its natural habitat.