Seals
Facts
Seals are found along most coasts and cold waters, but a majority of them live in the Arctic and Antarctic waters. Harbor, ringed, ribbon, spotted and bearded seals, as well as northern fur seals and Steller sea lions live in the Arctic region.
- Places
- Habitats
A proposed mine in Alaska threatens a rare population of seals
The proposed Pebble Mine threatens the only freshwater lake-dwelling seals in the United States.
Threats
Hunting
Human greed has led to the decline of many seal populations. In the past, millions of seals were killed for their valuable meat, blubber, and pelts. In some countries seals are still killed in large numbers because fishermen blame them for the decline in fish.
Climate Change
The ringed, ribbon, spotted and bearded seals, collectively known as “ice seals,” are Arctic inhabitants. The entire ringed seal lifecycle relies on ice and rapid ice loss in the Arctic causes seal pups to be prematurely separated from their mothers during the milking period. Rapid ice loss and the inability to build dens for protection leads to high pup mortality.
What WWF Is Doing
WWF works with agencies and coastal communities to ensure that harbor seals and other marine mammals are sustainably managed.
Related Species
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Sea Turtle
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Vaquita
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Whale Shark
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Dugong
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Humphead Wrasse
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Pacific Salmon
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Dolphins and Porpoises
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Whale
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Sea Lions
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Marine Iguana
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Tuna
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Bluefin Tuna
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Sei Whale
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Yellowfin Tuna
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Hawksbill Turtle
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Skipjack Tuna
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Great White Shark
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Loggerhead Turtle
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Leatherback Turtle
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Green Turtle
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Olive Ridley Turtle
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Albacore Tuna
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Bigeye Tuna
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North Atlantic Right Whale
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Blue Whale
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Fin Whale
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Bowhead Whale
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Gray Whale
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Hector's Dolphin
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Galápagos Penguin
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Shark
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Polar Bear
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Narwhal
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Beluga
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Brown Bear
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Arctic Wolf
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Giant Tortoise