Monk seals are large, smooth, dark grey animals that can reach 2.5 metres in length - about as long as a small car. They have big, soulful eyes and flat, paddle-shaped flippers that make them superb swimmers but rather clumsy on land. They spend much of their time at sea catching fish and octopus, then return to quiet caves to rest.
The caves along this coastline are special because they have sandy beaches inside, hidden from waves and human disturbance. Mother seals give birth inside these caves, and the pups are kept safe there for the first weeks of life. The caves can only be entered by swimming underwater through a narrow entrance - which keeps out most predators.
Scientists use cameras and underwater microphones to monitor the seals without disturbing them. Every pup born here is good news for the species. The monk seal is called 'monk' because, like a monk, it tends to live alone or in very small groups rather than in big noisy colonies like most other seals.