Disponibilità di habitat costiero per la foca monaca mediterranea, Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779), nel salento: risultati preliminari.

Sporadic sightings of Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus (Hermann, 1779), specimens have been recorded in the last decade along the Salento’s coasts and surrounding territories. This study focused on the coast of Lecce (Apulia) characterized by a rocky coast and sea caves, which represent a potential habitat for this species. Preliminary results on the coastal habitat availability for the monk seal were recorded during the monitoring activities of the caves and the condition for a natural re-colonization evaluated positively if appropriate protection measures will be applied