Finland’s endangered Saimaa ringed seal population has increased slightly to an estimated 545 individuals, offering some encouragement for conservation efforts to protect one of the world’s rarest and most threatened seal species.
According to Metsahallitus, Finland’s state-owned organisation responsible for managing natural resources, the population grew by approximately 15 seals compared with last year. Although the increase is modest, it represents continued progress in efforts to prevent the species from disappearing from Lake Saimaa.
An estimated 116 pups were born during the latest breeding season, two more than in 2025. Conservationists say the conditions in which the pups were born remain a major concern, particularly as Finland experiences increasingly mild winters and less reliable snow cover.
As many as 90 per cent of the observed pups were born in snow banks or artificial nesting sites created to improve their chances of survival. These structures provide shelter during the vulnerable first weeks of life, helping protect newborn seals from predators and harsh environmental conditions.
Despite these measures, an estimated 13 per cent of newborn pups died in their nests. The actual mortality rate may have been higher because limited snowfall left some pups without adequate protection shortly after birth. Natural snowdrifts are particularly important for the species, as mothers use them to create sheltered nesting spaces where their young can develop safely.
The latest figures highlight the difficulties facing conservationists as they attempt to rebuild the Saimaa ringed seal population. In addition to poor breeding conditions, deaths caused by fishing nets continue to threaten the animals. Young seals are particularly vulnerable to fishing equipment, making restrictions on fishing practices an important part of ongoing protection efforts.
Monitoring the population has also become more difficult as winter conditions change. Metsahallitus bases its annual population estimates on the number and location of seal nests discovered during surveys, alongside information about pup numbers. However, warmer winters and reduced snow cover have forced researchers to adjust their monitoring methods.
During the latest winter survey, experts no longer carried out systematic shoreline inspections. Instead, they concentrated mainly on artificial snow banks and known nesting sites to gather information about breeding activity. The change reflects the growing challenge of monitoring a species whose reproduction depends heavily on suitable winter conditions.
Despite these obstacles, the Saimaa ringed seal population has recorded steady growth since the 2010s. The progress is largely attributed to years of conservation work, including artificial nesting structures, fishing restrictions and other measures designed to reduce threats to the animals.
Petteri Tolvanen, programme director at WWF Finland, said the latest population estimate was encouraging given the difficult conditions experienced during the previous winter. However, he cautioned against interpreting the increase as evidence that the species is no longer at risk.
“Although the result is good given last winter’s conditions, it’s largely a consequence of conservation measures such as artificial snow banks and fishing restrictions. We cannot assume the Saimaa seal’s future is secure without active conservation and action against climate change,” Tolvanen said.
The Saimaa ringed seal is found only in Finland’s Lake Saimaa, making it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities within the lake system. Its survival depends on maintaining suitable breeding habitats, limiting accidental deaths from fishing equipment and ensuring that conservation measures continue as winter conditions become less predictable.
The latest estimate suggests that the species is gradually recovering, with seals now found in nearly every part of Lake Saimaa. However, with only around 545 individuals remaining, the population is still small, and its long-term survival will depend on continued protection and efforts to address the environmental pressures threatening its habitat.
