Gyaros, a Greek island with a dark and violent history, has become a haven for rare Mediterranean monk seals. The island, once a military prison and naval firing range, was off-limits to the world for half a century. But after an amateur fisherman's photograph revealed a colony of monk seals on the island, scientific expeditions confirmed the presence of around 70 adult seals, possibly the largest in the Mediterranean. The seals' relaxed behavior, attributed to the island's long isolation and minimal human disturbance, is a stark contrast to the tense and alert nature of seals in other areas. The island's remote location and the navy's ban on fishing have created a rich feeding ground for the seals. Today, Gyaros is a protected area, with a remote monitoring system in place to prevent illegal fishing. However, the island faces challenges, including the threat of introduced rats and feral pigs, as well as the impact of overfishing on the surrounding reefs. Despite these issues, Gyaros remains a delicate balance of conservation and human activity, with ongoing efforts to restore the reefs and manage the island's protected status. The island's participatory process in designing its protected area is an example for others to follow, and the recovery of monk seals beyond Gyaros is a testament to the success of conservation efforts.
