Saimaa ringed seal
Saimaa Group is active in the conservation of Saimaa ringed seals.
Photo: Keijo Pylkkänen
Saimaa ringed seal
The endangered Saimaa ringed seal is one of the rarest seal species in the world. The current population is 420–430 individuals. The Saimaa ringed seal population has grown in recent decades thanks to determined conservation measures, but the species remains endangered. The species is threatened by various anthropogenic factors, but its greatest threat is climate change. Saimaa Group is active in the conservation of Saimaa ringed seals.
Supporting ringed seals
Climate change is particularly dangerous to the Saimaa ringed seal, a species dependent on ice and snow. We are actively developing a manmade nest solution to support the Saimaa ringed seal population. Manmade nests can be placed in open water or on ice. Different nest materials are being tested.
Photo: Keijo Pylkkänen
Manmade nests for Saimaa ringed seals
Saimaa Group is developing a manmade nest for Saimaa ringed seals together with the University of Eastern Finland, Metsähallitus and Elomatic. The objective of the project is to design and build a nest for snowless and iceless winters that ringed seals will accept.
Saimaa Group has been involved in the project since early 2021. The development is at a very early stage, and we need to build a variety of nests that suit different conditions.
The first manmade nests developed by Saimaa Group have already been placed in Lake Saimaa. Saimaa Group plans to continue to be actively involved in the project for the long term. In the coming years, there might be a need for hundreds of manmade nests.
As part of this development work, we are looking for and testing renewable nest materials suitable for ringed seals and Lake Saimaa’s waters. Many of our customers are developing renewable materials, and we hope to cooperate with them to find innovative solutions for the nest project.