A Greek charity has been treating dozens of orphaned, sick and injured Mediterranean monk seals, rare marine mammals whose population had dwindled so dramatically that the species at one point faced extinction. Panagis, an orphaned seal pup found a few days after his dead mother's body was located along the coast of Cyprus, is its latest ward. He was flown to Athens for specialist care, and is making enough progress to soon be released back into the wild. Overall, Monachus monachus — with their big, round eyes and prominent whiskers — are enjoying a remarkable comeback, thanks to conservation efforts. Nearly half of their estimated global population of 800 live in Greek waters.
