Vienna Live

Jouni Koskela: Endangered Saimaa Ringed SealĀ 

Written by Vienna Live with Simeon Morrow | Nov 7, 2023 12:36:56 PM


A baby Saimaa Ringed Seal in 2023 (Photo Credit: Jouni Koskela)

The Saimaa Ringed Seal maybe the rarest seal on earth, and, numbering around 480, was nearly killed into extinction just a few years ago. The remaining seals live in the cool fresh water of Finland's great lake, Lake Saimaa, and only occasionally show off their magnificence on dry land (that is, on Lake ice and rocks).  Jouni Koskela, a biologist and nature conservationist, has spent his whole career researching and championing the Saimaa Ringed Seal. He joins our Show to introduce us to this unusual mammal who would spend one hundred percent of its time under these pristine waters, if it's lungs didn't force it to surface ever thirty minutes to take a breath. N.B. Cuteness is guaranteed: Jouni will share with us his private collection of Seal photos!

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