First documented in situ visual evidence of a completed predation by a Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus ) on a green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) in Türkiye

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is an endangered apex predator exhibiting an opportunistic foraging behaviour, while the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a marine megaherbivore in the Mediterranean. Interactions between these two protected species are rarely documented. Here, we present the first in situ visual evidence of a completed predation event by a Mediterranean monk seal on a juvenile green sea turtle. The observation took place in the Kaş–Kekova Marine Protected Area (MPA), Türkiye. The video evidence confirms the successful capture and killing of the turtle at the surface. Underwater verification of the carcass suggested a possible selective feeding pattern, in which the seal bypassed most of the hard carapace, predating upon the head, forelimbs, and internal organs. This pattern closely aligns with previous observations and may indicate targeted prey handling rather than opportunistic feeding on already-dead or incapacitated turtles. Documenting such interactions highlights the importance of considering multispecies ecological dynamics within MPAs. Continued monitoring of both predator and prey populations, alongside anthropogenic pressures, may help to clarify the ecological context of such interactions.