The Mediterranean seal monks of the Mediterranean are in grave danger.After surviving a cyclone, a young monk seal became the mascot for a Greek island within a marine protected zone. He was a popular figure among locals and has now been killed.Kostis was named after the fisherman that saved him from Cyclone Zorbas in 2018. He was "deliberately murdered" off Alonissos Island, according to the MOm NGO protecting the Mediterranean monk seal.It is located in the Alonissos-North Sporades marine park, which is Greece's first such protected park.According to the website of the marine park, it is the largest protected area of its kind in Europe.MOm posted on Facebook that "The innocent and unaware seal were executed at close range using a speargun that had a large spear specifically for that purpose."The group estimates that Mediterranean monk seals are in danger, with almost half of Greece's remaining population.After Kostis' rescue, the group took him under its wing and moved him to a first-aid centre before returning him back to his natural environment in Aegean Sea.Kostis was a very social person and could often be seen posing for photographs on boats at Alonissos Island.Many people took to social media after hearing the news of his death."We don’t deserve this planet." One Facebook user stated that we "spoil all beauty."According to the Athens News Agency, there was a mobilization to find the perpetrator.Find more Rarest seal breeding sites2021 AFP
