Cyprus Post joined the other Postal Services and issued two spectacular EUROPA 2021 stamps. This colorful issue like philatelic releases produced by other Postal Services is devoted to the theme “Endangered National Wildlife”. The stamps show the Mediterranean Seal (Monachus monachus) and the Cypriot Bee (apis mellifera cypria).
Mediterranean Seal is an extremely rare species, it is listed in the IUCN Red List in the category of “endangered species”. Its population is estimated at only 600-700 individuals. This species lives in the Black and Mediterranean Seas and in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar. The Mediterranean Seal has always been an element of the biodiversity of Cyprus. From the 1960s to 2010, the seals’ sightings were rare but from 2011 the number of these animals has been constantly growing.
Cypriot bee is an endemic species of Cyprus. This insect is probably the most e most important pollinator for the human species and its environment as it pollinates over 70% of man-made plants. Nowadays many factors threaten the survival of the Cypriot bee. These are low rainfall, building in forest areas, environmental pollution, etc.
See also other Europa 2021 stamps.
