’tis The Seal-son? Finland Might Say Goodbye To Bear As National Animal

The brownish bear’s four-decade reign arsenic Finland’s nationalist animal could beryllium coming to an end, arsenic a caller activity calls for nan Saimaa ringed seal – nan country’s only endemic mammal – to return nan crown.

From mighty paws to flippers

After astir 40 years of proudly flying nan emblem for Finnish wildlife, nan brownish carnivore whitethorn soon beryllium dethroned. Heini Utunen, location head for South Savo, sparked a nationalist statement successful October aft suggesting nan Saimaa ringed seal would beryllium a much fitting modern emblem for Finland.

The thought isn’t caller – successful fact, nan seal vanished 2nd successful nan original 1985 ballot that crowned nan carnivore king of nan forest. But pinch shifting attitudes towards conservation and nan climate, galore Finns are now wondering if it’s clip for a awesome that swims alternatively of growls.

Recent investigation has fixed nan seal’s run a technological boost, too. A 2025 study from nan University of Eastern Finland recovered that nan Saimaa ringed seal has evolved separately for much than 60,000 years – making it officially a type of its ain and Finland’s only autochthonal mammal.

Why is nan seal backmost successful nan title again?

• The organization of Saimaa ringed seals has rebounded to astir 500, pinch a grounds 111 pups calved this outpouring acknowledgment to conservation efforts specified arsenic artificial snowdrifts.

• WWF’s beloved “Norppalive” webcam, streaming lazy seals basking connected rocks, has go a nationalist obsession, drafting millions of views each season.

• The brownish carnivore population, meanwhile, has surged to astir 2,300 – capable that Finland’s wildlife agency now offers training courses connected what to do if 1 wanders excessively adjacent for comfort.
  

For Utunen, nan seal’s emergence isn’t astir replacing nan carnivore retired of spite, but reflecting modern Finland: peaceful, eco-minded, and uniquely connected to its lakes.

How to get involved

There’s nary general process yet – nan “national animal” is much a matter of contented than rule – but nan speech is gaining traction.

Locals and expats alike tin travel nan statement on Yle News aliases watch nan Norppalive cam on WWF Finland’s website.

And if you hap to meet a carnivore connected your adjacent Finnish hike? Officials counsel making noise, backing distant slowly, and leaving nan selfies for later.

What’s adjacent for Finland’s furry (and flippered) fame

Changing a nationalist awesome isn’t simple. Past attempts to switch Finland’s anthem Maamme for Sibelius’s Finlandia person fizzled out. Still, pinch biology consciousness astatine grounds highs and nan seal basking successful online stardom, this statement whitethorn person much staying powerfulness than most.

For now, nan carnivore keeps nan title – but arsenic wintertime approaches, and Norppalive returns pinch different play of snoozing seals, Finland’s bosom whitethorn already beryllium drifting toward nan water.