Researchers in Latvia are increasingly utilizing fresh technologies to study seals, allowing them to track animal movements, identify individual seals, and even determine their weight. The advancements offer a more detailed understanding of the Baltic Sea’s seal populations and their health.
“The idea of recognizing seals from photographs is similar to assigning citizenship,” explained seal researcher Marts Jisi. “We are also trying to craft our databases internationally accessible, so we can search and determine if the same animal has been seen somewhere in the Baltic Sea, where seals are photographed. The technical capabilities are now so great that computers can compare thousands or tens of thousands of images in just a few hours.”
On Saaremaa Island, researchers are also employing drones equipped with specialized equipment to measure the weight of seals, particularly pups. This is a key indicator of the animals’ and their mothers’ health, as well as food availability. Another device is attached to the backs of seals, allowing researchers to track their movements, measure sea depth, and determine water salinity and temperature.
The late winter and early spring represent a particularly busy period for researchers, as this is when new seal pups are born, attracting animals from as far away as Denmark to the Saaremaa area.
This year’s cold winter, with its extensive ice cover, has been particularly favorable for seals, and the marine animal population may have increased by as many as five thousand individuals. However, this potential increase may not be welcomed by fishermen, who often find their nets damaged by seals. Researchers emphasize that seals have inhabited the Baltic Sea long before humans arrived and are an integral part of the ecosystem.
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