Finland's population of Saimaa ringed seals — an endangered species native to the Saimaa lake region — has climbed to about 495 individuals, according to the latest estimate by the Finnish Wildlife Agency Metsähallitus.
This means the number of Saimaa ringed seals has almost doubled over the course of the last decade.
A seasonal ban on fishing with nets in parts of the Saimaa lake region, usually imposed from spring until the end of June, has been credited with protecting the species.
The figures for this year also do not include seal pups born this year, which are provisionally estimated to number about 95.
However, despite the promising development, Miina Auttila, a senior specialist in Nature Conservation at Metsähallitus, noted that accurate numbers are impossible to get.
Auttila further added that the mortality rate was high this year as the mild winter affected the seals' nests.
Metsähallitus has been informed of 38 ringed seal deaths this year, but the agency said that the mortality rate may be up to three times higher.
The seals have been considered an endangered species for decades, but their numbers have flourished in recent years due to the success of conservation efforts. The population climbed to about 440 last year, with a record high number of pups being born.
When the Saimaa seal was declared a protected species 40 years ago, there were only about 100 individuals living in Lake Saimaa.
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