Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Amid war, rare seal returns to northern Israel - Etgar Lefkowitz

 

​ by Etgar Lefkowitz

The animal, named Maya, was spotted near Rosh Hanikra and first visited Israel in 2010. Mediterranean monk seals are considered a critically endangered species.

 

A Mediterranean Monk seal, a species considered critically endangered, lies on the seashore in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023, in a first on an Israeli beach according to the country's Nature and Parks Authority. Photo by Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images.
A Mediterranean Monk seal, a species considered critically endangered, lies on the seashore in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023, in a first on an Israeli beach according to the country's Nature and Parks Authority. Photo by Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images.

As Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon entered its 13th month this week, a rare Mediterranean monk seal was once again spotted in northern Israel.

The marine mammal, named Maya, was observed near Rosh Hanikra close to the border with Lebanon. First seen in Israel in 2010, Maya has returned to the country at least five times since.

Mediterranean monk seals are a critically endangered species.

While Israel’s new foreign minister said on Monday that there has been “certain progress” toward a ceasefire with Hezbollah, tens of thousands of Israelis remain displaced from their homes in the north by the fighting.

Last year, another monk seal, affectionately named Yulia, became something of a celebrity in Israel after repeatedly visiting the beach in Tel Aviv.


Etgar Lefkowitz

Source: https://www.jns.org/amid-war-rare-seal-returns-to-northern-israel/

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