STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL MONACHUS-MONACHUS ON THE CABO-BLANCO PENINSULA (WESTERN SAHARA MAURITANIA) IN 1993-1994

The current geographical distribution of the Mediterranean monk seal M onachus monachus colony inhabiting the Cabo Blanco peninsula (Western Sahara-Mauritania) is described. Its distribution range has apparently not changed since surveys conducted in 1984-88. Sightings of adults o n the Tarf el Guerguerat coast, 20 km north of the known breeding cave s, suggests the existence of other possible breeding groups further no rth. Two caves used by the seals are described for the first time, A r eview of historical trends in cave occupation by seals made it possibl e (I) to locate the so-called 'maternity cave', last reported in 1949, and (2) to establish that the colony, since its discovery, has occupi ed at least eight caves, five of which have collapsed. An index of pop ulation size based on counts of individuals of identified morphologica l types indicates that, during 1993-94, the colony was composed of c.1 13-165 individuals (excluding pups), a larger number than previously a ssumed. Counting of seals at times of maximum haul-out is proposed as a tool to monitor population trends, although it is considered unrelia ble for estimating absolute numbers. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.