Following Yulia: Israel Leads a Regional Partnership to Bring the Rare Monk Seal Back to Its Shores
- delphisisrael
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Three years after the remarkable visit of Yulia, experts from Israel's Delphis NGO and neighboring Mediterranean countries met in Cyprus to lay the groundwork for the return of Mediterranean monk seals to Israel's coastline. The international workshop, supported by Israel's Ministry for Regional Cooperation, resulted in a regional action plan for conserving this critically endangered species, including the restoration of Israel's first pupping cave and expanded collaboration in research, education, and public outreach
When Yulia, a Mediterranean monk seal, appeared along Israel's coast in May 2023, she inspired hope that the species might one day return to Israeli waters. Three years later, that hope is taking shape as a concrete conservation plan. During an international workshop held in Cyprus, experts from Israel and across the region developed practical steps to prepare for restoring Israel's first monk seal pupping cave and supporting the species' eventual return.
The workshop, held last week at the initiative of Delphis, Israel's NGO dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals, and supported by the Ministry for Regional Cooperation, brought together representatives of the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, researchers, government officials, conservation practitioners, an Italian monk seal expert, representatives of the Cypriot organization Enalia Physis, Delphis researchers and educators, and the Israeli contractor responsible for implementing the monk seal cave restoration project in Israel.
As part of the workshop, Delphis experts toured monk seal caves in Cyprus alongside their local counterparts, learning firsthand about the restoration methods that have contributed to Cyprus' successful recovery of the species.
Will the Plan Bring Yulia Back?
When Yulia - the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world's rarest marine mammals - visited Israel, her appearance reinforced the importance of a Delphis initiative launched just weeks earlier. The project aims to prepare suitable habitat for the return of monk seals to Israel, providing once again a home for a species that disappeared from the country's shores decades ago.
Since Yulia's visit, Delphis has been working together with numerous partners in Israel and across the Mediterranean to turn that vision into reality.
"This journey has been anything but straightforward," says Rafaela Babish, Co-CEO of Delphis and head of the organization's education program. "The workshop was originally scheduled for last year but had to be postponed because of the security situation. Against the backdrop of the war with Iran, the uncertainty, and the challenges of maintaining regional cooperation while Israel has also faced international boycotts, it was unclear whether we would be able to hold it at all. But we succeeded. At a time when it often seems easier to build walls, we managed to build a bridge. When we see neighboring countries successfully creating conditions that allow monk seals to return to their coasts, we realize that Israel can do the same. Our mission is to prepare the ground today - not only by restoring habitats, but also through education, partnerships, and public engagement. That is how we will raise a generation that sees marine mammal conservation as an integral part of the Mediterranean's future."
Learning from Cyprus' Success
Dr. Mia Elasar, coordinator of the monk seal project at Delphis, explains: "Cyprus has become a true success story in monk seal conservation. Until recently, monk seals had also disappeared from its shores, but today researchers have identified around 20 different individuals. As we prepare for restoring the large cave at Rosh Hanikra and complete the lengthy permitting process required before work can begin, we wanted the Israeli contractor (Bar Marine Services), selected to carry out the restoration project, to see firsthand the characteristics of an optimal monk seal cave—its accessibility, shade, slope, and other physical features."
According to Dr. Elasar, the visit strengthened confidence that similar success is achievable in Israel. "One of the caves we visited had such a narrow entrance that it immediately reminded me of the small caves I have been monitoring at Rosh Hanikra since 2015. We've reviewed tens of thousands of images captured there and never saw even the tip of a monk seal's tail. I had begun to wonder whether those caves were simply too small. But this week I discovered that two pups had already been born in a remarkably similar cave in Cyprus."
Delphis notes that the workshop was made possible thanks to the significant support of the Ministry for Regional Cooperation, which funded the majority of the project's activities beginning in 2025 and helped establish the professional framework and regional partnerships that enabled the 2026 international workshop.
Dr. Aviad Scheinin, Co-CEO of Delphis and Head of the Apex Predator Program at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, said: "Our goal is not merely to restore a single cave. We aim to establish Israel as a regional center for knowledge, research, education, and public outreach on the Mediterranean monk seal, ensuring that efforts to restore the species to Israel are built upon long-term cooperation among Mediterranean countries. Monk seals do not recognize political borders, and therefore our responsibility to protect them must also be international."
Gilad Shadmon, Director General of Israel's Ministry for Regional Cooperation, added: "Yulia's inspiring visit to Israel three years ago reminded us that nature, wildlife, and the environment know no political borders. The monk seal conservation project is an outstanding example of how shared environmental and scientific interests can - and should - build strong human and professional bridges, especially during challenging times.
The Ministry is proud to support this important initiative led by Delphis. Restoring the pupping cave at Rosh Hanikra and establishing Israel as a regional center for monk seal research and conservation represent not only a crucial step toward saving a critically endangered marine species, but also proof that the future of our region is built through genuine long-term partnerships. We will continue promoting regional cooperation and look forward, together with the people of Israel, to the official return of monk seals to our shores."
A statement from the Cyprus Monk Seal Monitoring Team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment emphasized: "The conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal can only be strengthened through cooperation, knowledge exchange, and mutual trust. The workshop held in Cyprus marks the beginning of an important partnership between Cyprus' monk seal experts and Delphis in Israel, laying the foundations for coordinated conservation efforts throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. We were pleased to share our practical experience during field visits, including the restoration of monk seal pupping and resting caves under the EU LIFE ADAPTS project. Exchanges like these are inspiring and highly valuable, creating new opportunities to learn from one another, strengthen regional cooperation, and contribute to the long-term recovery of this unique and iconic species."
What Should You Do If You Encounter a Monk Seal?
During the workshop, the Delphis team also met with representatives of the Cypriot organization Enalia Physis, which leads public awareness campaigns on appropriate behavior when encountering monk seals. Beyond exchanging expertise, the organizations discussed developing joint educational initiatives between Israel and Cyprus, with the potential to expand cooperation to additional Mediterranean countries, including Malta and Albania.
One of the best ways to protect marine mammals along Israel's coast is by reporting sightings.
If you spot a monk seal - or any other marine mammal - keep your distance, take photographs if possible, and report the sighting to Delphis.
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