Authorities have called on members of the public not to disturb seals, a highly endangered species, currently in their breeding season.

According to the fisheries department, in Cyprus, Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) give birth to their pups between September and December in sea caves. The mothers often leave their young ones in the caves while they search for food, it added.

“Disturbance by humans is one of the main causes of abandonment of new-born seal pups by their mothers but also of abandonment of safe refuge areas by pregnant seals,” the department stressed, calling on people not to disturb them.

The Mediterranean monk seal is the rarest of the 33 seal species found in the world, it added.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the Monachus monachus as critically endangered with decreasing population.

According to the fisheries department their population in the Mediterranean is around 600 to 700 individuals, while in Cyprus there are 15 to 20.

The department calls on people who may come across a seal to immediately call 22807841, 24205907 or send an email to [email protected] .