Part 8/10:
Among the rarest creatures inhabiting Scandinavian waters is the Saimaa ringed seal, found exclusively in Finland’s Saimaa Lake District. With a current population of approximately 380 seals, conservationists, including Ismo Marttinen, fervently advocate for their survival against threats posed by climate change and fishing practices.
Every spring, Marttinen and his team engage in vital efforts to create man-made snowdrifts to facilitate the seal's birthing process—an act of urgency as the warming climate threatens their natural habitat. The ongoing research, combined with community awareness programs, seeks to safeguard the future of this unique species, highlighting the intricate relationship between humans and wildlife.