description Ladoga Ringed Seal Overview
The Ladoga ringed seal (Pusa hispida ladogensis) is a subspecies of ringed seal endemic to Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. It is one of only a small number of landlocked freshwater seal populations in the world, alongside the Saimaa ringed seal of Finland and the Baikal seal of Siberia. The population is classified as vulnerable, with estimates of several thousand individuals, and faces threats from climate change, bycatch, and human disturbance.
help Ladoga Ringed Seal FAQ
Where does the Ladoga ringed seal live?
The Ladoga ringed seal, Pusa hispida ladogensis, is endemic to Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. It is a freshwater subspecies of the ringed seal rather than a separate ocean-going population that merely visits the lake.
Which other freshwater seals are related to the Ladoga ringed seal?
The closest named comparison is the Saimaa ringed seal of Lake Saimaa in Finland, another freshwater ringed-seal subspecies. The Baikal seal of Lake Baikal is also landlocked, but it is a different species called Pusa sibirica.
How large is the Ladoga ringed seal population?
A scientific status review reported at least 5,000 Ladoga seals, while noting that population estimates can vary with survey methods and year. That figure should therefore be read as a historical reported estimate, not a permanent exact count. [NAMMCO scientific review](https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP/article/view/2982)
What conservation status does the Ladoga ringed seal have?
The U.S. NOAA species listing treats the Ladoga and Saimaa ringed-seal subspecies as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. That is a U.S. legal classification, while Russian and international assessments may use different systems. [NOAA ringed seal information](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/ringed-seal?page=1)
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
