Currently, the Caspian seal is listed as ENDANGERED on the IUNC Red List of Threatened Species (note: this was last assessed in 2008). To be considered endangered, over a 10 year period or three generations, the population of the animal music decrease by approximately 70%.(4).
Threats to Caspian seals: Before the fall of the Soviet Union, seal hunting was very prevalent. While the seal hunting did decrease, Russia still has commercial hunts. Whether deliberately killing the seals or seals being trapped in fishing nets, fishermen play a large role in the endangerment of the Caspian seal. The population of the Caspian seal is also affected by disease, chemicals know as organochlorine (example: DDT) get into the food chain and cause infertility, and there are multiple disturbances to their food chain. The changing climate will severely impart the water temperatures of the Caspian Sea. With rising water temperatures, there will be a reduction in the number of ice fields. This will severely impact the Caspian seal because they are ice-breeding animals and without these ice fields, reproduction will be less frequent. (3)
Interesting Facts:
- There have been found high levels of DDT in some seals' blubber. (3)
- In 2000 a couple thousand seals' death were blamed on canine distemper virus. (3)
- Human disturbance greatly impacts the seals' habitat. Also, humans purposely kill seals. Approximately 500+ Caspian seal deaths are due to fishers (3)
For my animal, the elephant,the government created laws that protect them. Are there any laws that protect the seals?
ReplyDeleteI have a question about threats to the caspian seal. You said "Before the fall of the Soviet Union, seal hunting was very prevalent". Though this decreased, are seals still hunted?
ReplyDeleteYes, seals are still being hunted.
ReplyDeleteyou said that the seal was an ice breeding animal. What does this mean?
ReplyDeleteHumans seem to be a major cause of many of these animals endangerment. What is being done to protect the caspian seal?
ReplyDeleteNow that the Soviet Union fell, the Caspian Sea has borders around other countries. Is the Caspian Seal only found on the Russian border? If not, what are the other countries doing to protect the seal?
ReplyDeleteI know that fishermen are a big cause in the reduced numbers of seals, but outside of hunting them and accidently capturing them while fishing, are the fishing boats releasing live sewage into the water?
ReplyDeleteIs there anyway we can eliminate disease and rid the caspian seals of these dangerous chemicals?
ReplyDeleteI really like your interesting facts. I found it interesting that there were high levels of DDT in their blubber. I would think if people knew more about these things, they would be more concerned and willing to help these seals.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that Russia still commercially hunts these animals even though they are on the Red List as Endangered. I think that any animal on the Red List should be prohibited to hunt.
ReplyDeleteIf the time period needs to be about 10 years to be considered on the endangered species list, how long has the caspian seal been endangered?
ReplyDelete