Caribbean Monk Seal

Monachus tropiclais Extinct Early records testify to its abundance in the Caribbean. Population size prior to exploitation has been estimated as 233,000-338,000. Hunting by Europeans began with Columbus, first for food and then for oil to lubricate machinery on sugar plantations. Additional animals were taken for public display and killed for museum specimens and other reasons. This was the only true tropical seal. Its docile nature made it vulnerable to hunting for for meat. Lithograph 2018