Lake Baikal. The deepest, the oldest. And its living symbol is the seal. A seal that has adapted to freshwater over thousands of years and has become almost mythical. For local residents, it's a neighbor, helper, and source of livelihood. For tourists, an object of admiration and selfie. But how is this neighborliness built? Does humanity harm the seal? And how does the seal respond to humanity? Let's dive into their relationship. Who is the seal The Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) is one of three species of freshwater seals in the world. It is an endemic species of Lake Baikal. How did it get into the lake? Scientists argue, but the version is that through ancient rivers during the ice age. The seal reaches a length of 1.6 meters, a weight of up to 130 kg. It feeds on fish (whitefish, smelt). It lives up to 55 years. In winter, it breathes through holes in the ice. It gives birth to one pup (belka) in March-April. The seal is the top of the Baikal food chain (except for humans and occasionally bears). The population is stable - about 100,000 heads. However, there are problems in recent years. The seal and indigenous peoples The Evenks and Buryats have hunted seals for centuries. Meat, fat, and skin were used for clothing, footwear, and utensils. Hunting was quota-based, without greed. The seal was revered as a sacred animal - its spirit was appeased. With the arrival of the Russians, the hunt became more predatory. In the 1930s, seals were killed for fat for industry. Only in the 1980s were restrictions introduced. Today, indigenous people hunt seals under licenses and use skins for souvenirs. The seal and tourism In 2026, observing the seal is one of the main attractions of Baikal. Tourists come to Olkhon Island, Chivyrkuy Bay, and the Ushkany Islands (a reserve with limited access). Seals like to bask on rocks. They can be seen in their natural environment. However, close proximity (by boat) stresses the animals. In 2022, fines were introduced for pursuing ... Read more