International Day of the Seal

Seals faced near extinction in the 19th century due to aggressive hunting.

In 1911, the United States, Japan, Russia, and Great Britain signed the North Pacific Fur Seal Treaty, the first international wildlife protection treaty.

It limited hunting in international waters. This landmark treaty paved the way for further animal conservation efforts worldwide.

Yes, various cultures have unique beliefs about seals. In Celtic mythology, seals are “selkies”—mystical creatures that transform into humans.

The Inuit see seals as spiritual creatures that provide both food and guidance. Icelandic folklore warns of seal women who lure people to sea, blending respect with mystery.

Seals and sea lions look similar but differ in behavior, anatomy, and vocal sounds.

Seals have small flippers and move with a “wiggle,” while sea lions have larger, rotating flippers that allow them to “walk” on land. Sea lions bark; seals make softer, grunting sounds.

These differences help identify each species and understand their lifestyles.

In Norway, families sometimes hold “seal” picnics by the sea, sharing meals while observing seals in their natural habitat.

Alaska has educational programs that teach children about seals’ roles in marine ecosystems.

Other countries organize seal-themed art contests, where people create sculptures or paintings of seals to raise awareness.

The Baikal seal, native to Russia’s Lake Baikal, is the only freshwater seal species.

It has adapted to the lake’s cold, isolated waters over thousands of years. These seals are small and unique, surviving in one of the world’s oldest and deepest lakes without any access to the ocean.

Some believe seals overpopulate and harm fish stocks. Studies show that fishing practices and climate change impact fish stocks more than seal populations.

Seal populations are usually controlled by natural predators and environmental factors, not by significantly harming fish levels.

Besides hunting, seals face pollution, particularly plastic and toxic chemicals.

Microplastics enter marine food chains, affecting seals’ health and reproduction. Climate change, which melts ice habitats, also forces some seal species to travel farther for food, threatening their survival.

André the Seal became famous in Maine for returning to his human friends every summer.

In Ireland, a harbor seal named Sammy charmed locals by swimming close to shore to greet visitors. These seals gained fame for their friendly behavior and loyalty to specific areas.

Seals inspired advancements in underwater navigation. Their whiskers detect subtle changes in water currents, helping scientists develop underwater sensors.

These sensors help submarines navigate turbulent waters by mimicking the precision of a seal’s whisker-based navigation.

Indigenous Arctic communities use nearly every part of the seal. Blubber becomes fuel and waterproof clothing. Bones turn into tools, and skins are used for shelter.

This tradition reflects sustainable resource use, blending cultural respect with environmental consciousness.