Dear Colleagues We are writing to let you know that The Monachus Guardian has just published a detailed knowledgebase on the Mediterranean monk seal, written and compiled by some of Europe¹s foremost authorities on the species, including experienced field researchers working in Greece, Madeira, Mauritania/Western Sahara and Turkey. The Monk Seal Fact Files, a searchable information source, covers the history, habitat, distribution and abundance, biology and behaviour of Monachus monachus, as well as sections devoted to threats and conservation efforts. A comprehensive reference list provides links to additional online content and downloads, where available. Illustrations will continue to be added to The Monk Seal Fact Files in the months ahead, further enhancing this publication as a resource for teachers, students, journalists and general interest readers. It is hoped that additional funds might also be secured to expand the use of photographic material and to add multimedia (sound/video) content to the publication. Translations are also being considered. Any leads on potential funding sources to aid these conservation education efforts would be gratefully received. Should you consider it appropriate, please also consider placing a link to the Fact Files on your own website as a public service. Citation William M. Johnson, Alexandros A. Karamanlidis, Panagiotis Dendrinos, Pablo Fernández de Larrinoa, Manel Gazo, Luis Mariano González, Harun Güçlüsoy, Rosa Pires, Matthias Schnellmann. 2006. Monk Seal Fact Files. Biology, Behaviour, Status and Conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus. The Monachus Guardian, http://www.monachus-guardian.org. Link <http://www.monachus-guardian.org/factfiles/medit01.htm> Yours sincerely William M. Johnson Editor _______________________________________ William M Johnson editor@monachus-guardian.org http://www.monachus-guardian.org http://www.iridescent-publishing.com _______________________________________