Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 133, January 2016, pp. 1-29. | Page 12

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The Distribution of the Mediterranean Monk Seal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_monk_seal#mediaviewer/File:Monachus_m
onachus_distribution.png

Confusion over Palestinian stranding
Debate – and lingering confusion – continues amongst scientists regarding the
identity of a seal washed ashore on “Dolphinarium Beach” in Tel Aviv-Jaffa,
Occupied Palestine, on 27 January 2004 (The Monachus Guardian, 2004; Khalafvon Jaffa, 2009, 2013).
According to an announcement by Dan Kerem and Oz Goffman of IMMRAC
(Israel Marine Mammal Research & Assistance Center), the decaying body was
discovered partly buried on the beach. It was subsequently moved to the
Maritime School in Mikhmoret for further inspection (The Monachus Guardian,
2004; Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2009, 2013).
Kerem and Goffman reported that “the body was recognized as that of a seal,
most likely a female, but was already in an advanced state of decomposition and
disintegration. The caudal remains were no more than the skin of the belly, to
which were attached the tail and remnants of the hind flippers. By a process of
elimination, we believe that the body is that of a Mediterranean Monk seal
(Monachus monachus), although the lack of the nose, vibrissae, front of the upper
jaw and ilea, as well as a worn out, faded and peeling fur, have prevented us
from making a definite identification” (The Monachus Guardian, 2004; Khalafvon Jaffa, 2009, 2013).
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 133 – January 2016