Scientific publications

The results of two shipboard counts (dated the second third of May 2015) and a stationary shore-based count (in the last third of June and the first third of July 2018) of the Ladoga ringed seal (Pusa hispida ladogensis Nordq.) in the Ladoga Skerries National Park, Sortavala District of the Republic of Karelia, are reported. The seals form numerous haul-out groups on island shores at the entrance to Palosarenselkya Strait and at a distance of 8 kilometers into the strait, sometimes in close proximity to human settlements. The maximum number of counted sealsin 2015 was 67 individuals. The size of haul-out groups varied between 2 and 19 individuals. The most abundant haul-out groups were observed at Matyussaaret, Selkasari, Kotiluoto islands and at the islet between islands Honkasari and Kotiluoto. By the end of molting, ringed seals continue to use haul-out sites near Kotiluoto Island at least until the first third of July. During the stationary count conducted from Kotiluoto Island shore, seal abundance was up to 38 individuals. The seals were exposed to heavy human disturbance in the daytime. More extensive observations are needed to determine the seasonal distribution and abundance of the Ladoga ringed seal in the skerries of Lake Ladoga, and to substantiate the regulation of water tourism at islands in the Ladoga Skerries National Park.