Caribbean monk seal

The Caribbean monk seal, also known as Neomonachus tropicalis, is a species of seal that was once found in the Caribbean Sea. Unfortunately, this species is now believed to be extinct, with the last confirmed sightings occurring in the early 1970s.1

Monk seals, in general, are tropical or subtropical seals belonging to the genus Monachus or Neomonachus. They are characterized by V-shaped hind flippers and typically range from 2 to 3 meters (6.6 to 10 feet) in length, weighing between 225 and 275 kg (500 to 610 pounds). Their diet consists of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.1

All three species of monk seals, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Hawaiian monk seals, have faced significant threats, primarily from hunting for fur, oil, and meat, as well as human disturbance of their coastal habitats and disease. The Mediterranean and Hawaiian monk seals are still endangered, with small populations remaining.1