For the first time in Israel, a postmortem examination was performed on a seal today (Sunday).
Researchers from Delphis and the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station performed an autopsy on the body of a seal that washed up on the shore of Maagan Michael yesterday at noon (Sunday, 30/3/25). The autopsy was performed in Ashdod, at the Super Predator Laboratory of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station at the University of Haifa, and at the end, the researchers confirmed the assessment that this was an adult female Mediterranean monk seal, but due to the advanced state of decomposition of the body, no scars were found that would identify the individual as the seal known to researchers.
The autopsy was led by Dr. Danny Morik, head of the Department of Blue Biotechnologies and Sustainable Aquaculture, Czerny School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa and head of the Marine Pathology Department at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, in collaboration with Dr. Aviad Sheinin, director of the Dolphin and Sea Center of the Delphis Association and head of the Super Predators Department at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, and Matan Benedict, a veterinary student and volunteer at the Delphis Association.
According to Dr. Morik, the seal was very thin, but it was clear that it had eaten for several days before it died. "We found no fishing gear in the stomach, nor any apparent cause of death. Samples have been sent for further testing."
As mentioned, the individual could not be identified due to the condition of the body.
Dr. Mia Elser, who leads the Delphis Project for the return of Mediterranean monk seals to Israel, said, however, that she is optimistic: "Since we have not found any signs of typical scars, we will continue to closely monitor media reports in Lebanon to see if Maya the seal is seen again. In addition, we have contacted the Turkish researcher who is tracking the seal we know as 'Yulia' - in the Mersin area.
"The same investigator promised to remove the surveillance cameras placed in the cave where Yulia usually stays in early April - then we will know if Yulia was recently recorded there and receive final confirmation that she is alive."
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