24/05/2005 – WWF is leading
the way in Saimaa seal protection, one of
the world's most endangered seal species.
Once close to the brink of extinction, seal
populations are on the rise thanks to the
work of WWF-Finland, together with Metsähallitus,
the government agency responsible for protected
areas and endangered species, on Lake Saimaa
in eastern Finland – the only place in the
world where the seal species lives.
Located in the country's south-east, Lake
Saimaa has an area of 1,300 sq km, the largest
lake in Finland, and the fifth largest in
Europe.
"We are working with local fishmen on
the lake to voluntarily limit net fishing
in the Spring, a time when seal cubs are just
learning to swim," said Jari Luukkonen,
WWF-Finland's Director of Conservation.
All fishing once posed the biggest threat
to the Saimaa seal (Phoca hispida saimensis),
especially of juveniles who easily get entangled
and drown in fishing nets and traps, the situation
is improving.
There were about 700 Saimaa seals at the
beginning of the 20th century, but numbers
plummeted to as low as 150 in 1979. Today,
the numbers have almost doubled to 250.
"The population have been growing slowly,
but steadily," Luukkonen added. "But
much more needs to be done to ensure their
survival."
WWF estimates that about 65 seal cubs were
born this year, mostly in the the northern
part of the lake. However, one cub was born
on the southern side, an area where none have
been observed in over 20 years.
WWF-Finland is supporting several research
projects in the area to ensure the seal's
conservation. This past winter, dogs were
used to detect snow dens to help researchers
determine the number of cubs born and the
size of the population.
WWF-Finland is also conducting educational
and awareness-raising campaigns to reduce
noise pollution from snow mobiles and prevent
further development, particularly the construction
of summer homes, on the lake's shores. Both
of these activities are increasingly becoming
threats to the Saimaa seal's habitat.
"We have not yet saved the seal with
100% certainty from extinction, but the situation
of this highly endangered animal is much better
than 25 years ago," Luukkonen said.
