Nerpinary, Listvyanka, Irkutskaya oblast, Russia
Baikal seal is a symbol of Baikal, one of the most beautiful of its inhabitants. Nerpa is the only seal in the world living in fresh water. It is wide-spread around Baikal, especially in northern and the middle parts. So far, there is no single point of view among academics, in what way the animal got into the lake. Most researchers are of the same opinion as Chersky who supposes that the seal is penetrated into Baikal from the Arctic Ocean through the system of rivers the Yenisei – the Angara in the glacial epoch simultaneously with the Baikal omul. According to experts, there are about 80-100 thousand heads of Nerpa in the lake. Nerpa feeds with non-target fish – Baikal oilfish, goby: it can eat about one ton of fish a year. In search of food seals dive to 200 m depth and remain under water for 20-25 minutes. The maximum swimming speed is 20-25 km / h. Seal pups are born on ice in a snow den. Most of the seals are born in mid-March. Pups have white fur, which allows them in the first weeks of life remain almost unnoticed in the snow. Adult males reach 130-150 kg and their length is up to 1.8 m, females are smaller. Seals can live to the age of 55-56 years.
Seal is difficult to see in their natural habitat because of its secrecy and fearfulness. You can see the first in the world show of trained Nerpa and its behavior in Nerpinary, which was opened at Listvyanka in June 2009. They can sing, dance, play with the ball, and even to count.
Epic Russia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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