With the participation of an inspector of Rosprirodnadzor and a participant in the International Prize "Ecology is everyone's Business", two rescued seals were released into the Baltic Sea on the protected Curonian Spit, the head of the Service Svetlana Radionova said today. These animals are listed in the Red Book of Russia and are under special protection.

The emaciated cubs were released at the rehabilitation center for marine mammals on the basis of the Atlantic Branch of the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation "All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography" (VNIRO). The autonomous non-profit organization "Heart of the Seas", created on the initiative of the Moskvarium Center for Oceanography and Marine Biology, became the operator of the rehabilitation center. The purpose of the organization is the rescue, rehabilitation and return to the natural environment of marine mammals and other aquatic animals for the conservation and replenishment of natural populations. VNIRO scientists took an active part in the rehabilitation project for Red Seal pups.

According to the country's chief ecologist Svetlana Radionova, gray Baltic seals end up in a rehabilitation center for various reasons. They are often found injured and exhausted on the coast. Permission for their removal from the wild and release into the natural habitat is given by Rosprirodnadzor. The staff closely monitors the fate of the wards and always participates in such an important event as the return of rescued Red Book animals to their natural habitat.

This time on the Curonian Spit, 11-year–old Ksenia Alferova, a participant in the International Children's and Youth Prize "Ecology is Everyone's Business" from Kaliningrad, took part in the release of two gray seals into the Baltic Sea together with specialists from the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, VNIRO and ANO "Heart of the Seas". In her video blog, the girl talked about the importance of recycling waste, and another of Ksenia's works is dedicated to ecological tourism on the Curonian Spit.

"The seals successfully underwent rehabilitation, accumulated the necessary fat and were returned to their natural habitat. In this regard, Rosprirodnadzor actively cooperates with various rescue centers and helps to find shelter for injured animals and provide them with the necessary treatment. A seal's “graduation" is always an exciting and very touching event. This time, a participant of the Rosprirodnadzor prize "Ecology is everyone's business" took part in it. The girl is concerned about the protection of Red Book animals and their habitats, she is actively engaged in environmental education. For her, seeing the seals return to the wild with her own eyes is an unforgettable experience. And an even greater incentive to preserve such a fragile ecosystem," said Svetlana Radionova, head of Rosprirodnadzor.

The seal cubs became the first rescued animals of the rehabilitation center. They got there extremely exhausted. Their weight was only 15 kg– 60% less than the norm. But by the end of the rehabilitation process, all the seals had recovered – each weighing about 40 kg – and thanks to the short rehabilitation period and rapid weight gain, they were ready to quickly adapt to natural conditions. Participant of the Ecology is Everyone's Business award, 11-year-old Ksenia Alferova, saw the Baltic seal so close for the first time. The event aroused bright positive emotions in the girl.

"Now the seals are well-fed and plump. They looked around for a while, and then confidently went into the water. They are amazing animals. I will dedicate a separate issue of my blog to them in order to tell my subscribers how important it is to help and take care of rare species. I would like these seals to get used to independent life at sea as soon as possible," said Ksenia Alferova.

For the first time, Ksenia took part in the V season of the International Rosprirodnadzor Award "Ecology is everyone's business". The fourth-grader presented the project "Ecotropics of the Curonian Spit", in which she told about an amazing nature reserve with endless sands, dunes and a dancing forest. Ksenia is also the author of an eco-blog in which she talks about the importance of recycling, interviews eco-activists and conducts tours of the garbage museum in Kaliningrad.

Svetlana Radionova, the country's chief ecologist, noted that the participation of children and adolescents in activities aimed at returning animals to the wild is not just a bright event. This practice will help the younger generation to develop a conscious respect for nature. Communicating with zoologists and environmentalists, the children learn a lot not only about the peculiarities of caring for seals, but also about how to act in case of detection of an injured animal, so as not to harm it.

The international Ecology is Everyone's Business Award was established by Rosprirodnadzor on March 31, 2021 and is designed to instill environmental habits in children and adults. The award is held annually and is awarded for interesting ideas, initiatives and projects dedicated to environmental conservation. Over 5 years, 95 countries from all continents have participated in the project, and over 320,000 applications have been received. All regions of Russia participate annually. The winners and prize-winners of the award receive not only memorable gifts, but also preferences to the best 150 universities in the country. Since the beginning of the project, more than 700 children have rested in children's health facilities on Lake Baikal and the Black Sea.