Alonnisos in Shock as Spearfisherman Kills Island’s Mascot Seal

Seal Alonnisos — The dead seal. Credit: MOm Monachus Monachus / Facebook

The famous seal of Alonnisos island is gone; residents and tourists are shocked by the news of the death of one of the most famous and beloved seals of the island, who was named ”Kostis.”

The devastating news was made public on Saturday evening by the Environmental Conservation Organization MOm – Monachus monachus.

”Unfortunately, yet again, it is proven that human wickedness and stupidity have no limits!” the announcement of the MOm organization stated in a post on Facebook.

”We have been informed today that the young monk seal “Kostis” (who in recent months had become the mascot of Alonnisos) has been deliberately killed. The innocent and unaware seal was executed at close range with a spear gun that had a large spear for exactly that purpose!” the announcement says.

It is noted that the seal had become very popular on Alonnisos lately due to its very friendly and sociable ways toward people.

”This news was received with great grief and outraged not only the people of MOm (who cared for several months for Kostis during his rehabilitation), but also all the sensitized residents and visitors of Alonnisos who had the luck to admire “Kostis” from close by. The perpetrator obviously won’t have the slightest bit of courage to come forward and admit his idiotic act,” the MOm declared, adding that they will proceed with filing charges against the person responsible for the crime.

”The relevant authorities to take immediate action in order to bring the person(s) responsible for this barbarous act to justice. Any citizen who has any information about the incident to contact the Port Police authorities immediately,” their announcement concludes.

Seal protection on Alonnisos: Who is MOm?

Alonnisos is an island of the Northern Sporades archipelago in the northern Aegean Sea, an area that is home to the Mediterranean monk seal is a monk seal belonging to the family Phocidae.

MOm / The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal is a Greek non–governmental environmental organization with the legal status of a Non–profit association. MOm is active in the protection and promotion of the coastal and marine environment of Greece, through the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal, which is the only seal species in the Mediterranean Sea and the most endangered seal on earth.

According to their official website, the financial resources of MOm originate ”from the memberships of our supporters, donations from private entities, selected partnerships with national, European and international bodies, and from nationally and European-funded programs.”

MOm is subject to regular financial auditing by Certified Public Accountants – Auditors.

MOm’s scientific research, conservation and education activities are carried out by a dedicated and highly specialized team of professionals, such as biologists, field technicians, and media officers with the help of numerous volunteers. The organization’s activities include scientific research, rescue and rehabilitation, protection and Management, public awareness and sensitization, as well as environmental education.

Their revenue for 2020 was a bit more than 500,000 euros, with only six per cent of this amount coming from donations.

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