Back from the dead: World's oldest Saimaa ringed seal sighted after 28 years

Canadian Friends of Finland Spring 2020 Newsletter

News from Finland Source: Yle-Uutiset                                                                                                                                               

Bottom of For

Venla was first sighted at the end of April and again in May

A rare Saimaa ringed seal long thought to be dead has been sighted in the southern Saimaa region in southeast Finland. According to WWF Finland regional head Ismo Marttinen, Venla was photographed in the area in late April 2020.

"When Venla was transferred to southern Saimaa, she was estimated to be at least five years old. That means she is now at least 33 years old. That makes Venla the oldest surviving Saimaa ringed seal," Marttinen said.

Venla’s habitat is now part of the Taipalsaari municipality. She was also sighted after May Day and the most recent photos of her are from May. She has given birth to many pups during the 28 years she spent in southern Saimaa and still seems to be full of life.

Conservationists suspected that Venla may have left the area or died when no confirmed sightings of her were reported for some time.

"It’s known that seals do live long. The default for a Saimaa seal is more than 30 years," Marttinen observed.