Harbor seals on the rebound in Sweden
Harbor seals are making a comeback in Sweden.
According to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, the number of harbor seals in the Kalmar Strait, between the mainland and the island of Öland, has increased by nearly 9 percent a year over the past decade.
The strait is the only part of the Swedish east coast where there are harbor seals.
Swedish Television News reports that the increase is attributed to a reduction in toxins in the environment. But the fishing industry has complained about the damage to their equipment caused by seals.
Back in April some 3000 harbor seals died along the Swedish west coast, infected with bird flu.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Fighting to protect bird habitat in North America’s boreal forest (SLIDESHOW), Eye on the Arctic
Finland: New measures to protect the Saimaa seal in Finland, Yle News
Iceland: Endangered whale meat shipped from Iceland via Halifax, The Canadian Press
Norway: Rapid growth in Svalbard walrus population, Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden’s mountain hares changing fur color too early, Radio Sweden
United States: Scientists seek cause of patchy baldness in some Beaufort Sea polar bears, Alaska Dispatch
