Use of the Lake Ladoga Area by the Ladoga Seal (Pusa hispida ladogensis) in the Autumn–Winter Period Based on Satellite Telemetry Data

Abstract

For the first time, satellite telemetry has been used to study migrations of a mature male of the Ladoga seal (Pusa hispida ladogensis). During the entire period of tracking (from November 2017 to February 2018), the seal moved only in the southeastern part of Lake Ladoga, occasionally entering the estuaries of larger rivers. These areas are highly bioproductive and have high food concentrations. Before ice formation, the seal preferred shallow coastal areas with a high anthropogenic pressure. After ice formation, the seal moved to deeper ice-free areas of the lake.