Saimaa ringed seal

The Saimaa ringed seal is a rare and critically endangered subspecies of ringed seal, with only about 400 individuals remaining worldwide. These seals are exclusively found in Lake Saimaa, Finland. Having been isolated from other ringed seals for approximately 9,500 years, they have evolved into a distinct subspecies.

Inhabiting Lake Saimaa, these seals have adapted to an environment that freezes from November to May, providing them with both ice and open water habitats throughout the year. Their diet primarily consists of small schooling fish such as vendace, smelt, perch, and roach.

Saimaa ringed seals exhibit some fascinating behaviors. They reproduce once a year, with an equal number of males and females, reaching sexual maturity between four and six years of age. Following an 11-month gestation period, the pups are born weighing between 4 and 5 kilograms. These seals are also adept divers, capable of staying underwater for up to 15 minutes, aided by their highly developed whiskers, known as vibrissae.

Conservation efforts for the Saimaa ringed seal have been ongoing since 1955. These efforts include voluntary fishing restrictions and bans on certain fishing methods to reduce accidental bycatch. While the population has fluctuated over the years, the goal has been to increase their numbers to above 400 to reduce the immediate threat of extinction.

Climate change poses a significant threat to these seals, as the loss of snow and ice adversely affects their breeding success. Conservation measures are focused on ensuring their survival, with a target of maintaining a population of at least 400 individuals by 2020. These seals are primarily found in Finnish national parks, such as Kolovesi and Linnansaari, though they are occasionally spotted in other areas like Savonlinna.