"Despoil & Release": Tourist Boats Threaten Endangered Seals' Privacy, in Gazipaşa

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 12 March 2026)

          "I want to be alone!" - Marlene Dietrich fan.

The last refuge of Mediterranean monk seals, whose numbers have 

dwindled to around 900 worldwide, in Gazipaşa, Antalya, has been 

turned into a profit-making hub by illegal tours. Raids on the caves, 

organized via Telegram and marketed especially to foreign tourists, 

are driving the timid animals away from their homes. Following the

 emergence of the footage, a report was made to the authorities.

The Mediterranean monk seal, listed as critically endangered by the 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), whose numbers had previously fallen 

to 700, has seen its population rise to 900 last year thanks to conservation 

efforts. Found only along the coasts of Turkey and Greece, and two 

countries in the Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean monk seal faces its 

greatest threat from human-caused factors.

A case highlighting the harm humans inflict on Mediterranean monk 

seals occurred in Gazipaşa, Antalya. It was revealed that a person 

marketing seal caves to tourists, primarily Russians but also domestic 

and foreign visitors, in the Gazipaşa-Alanya region, shared footage in 

a closed group on a social media application. An anonymous member 

of the group reported the incident, including images showing a 

Mediterranean monk seal being disturbed in its den and fleeing in fear.

“Foreigners in the Gazipaşa Russian Telegram chat group are writing that 

this man has been hunting seals in these caves in groups for about two 

years. The seals particularly like this area of ​​Kızılin Mountain and live 

there. Since this man showed these caves to many foreigners who admire 

Gazipaşa, satisfied hunters regularly come there on their own. These 

caves urgently need protection, and this shameful practice must stop. 

Many foreigners are writing that they are doing a good job by driving

 the seals away from the caves, believing that this will encourage seal 

breeding. I am speechless with shock. I am in despair.”

     Seals' sign at cave entrance:  "I'd turn back if I were you!"

Following the report, Cem Orkun Kıraç, Coordinator of the 

Mediterranean Monk Seal Research Group affiliated with the 

Underwater Research Association, informed the authorities of the 

situation along with the images. Kıraç, stating that DKMP officials 

will conduct the necessary investigation, said:

“According to the correspondence, a person named Savaş is marketing 

to local and foreign tourists, saying, ‘I will show you the Mediterranean 

monk seal.’ Despite the fact that entering Mediterranean monk seal dens

is prohibited by law, he is marketing this to tourists in a Telegram group. 

Why is entering the Mediterranean monk seal cave prohibited? Because 

it only remains in four countries in the world. We are talking about a very

 rare creature with only 900 individuals remaining worldwide. These four 

countries are struggling to protect it and ensure its survival. In Turkey, 

there are 120 identified individuals, perhaps 150. We are not counting 

young and pups; the number of adults is 120. Why are people entering 

their caves? Because of its timid nature, the animal is introverted and 

fearful, staying away from people. And that's why it goes to caves. 

Actually, caves are not their habitat. The Mediterranean monk seal is 

not an animal that lives in cramped caves. It takes refuge in caves due 

to excessive human pressure. Now you are disturbing them in their last
refuge. This man is also conducting tours.”

To the rescue!