This year's ice-rich winter has been conducive for seal breeding, prompting researchers to estimate a potential growth of the grey seal population by as many as 5000 individuals. In the vicinity of Saaremaa, scientists are implementing innovative methods to study seals, notably through aerial photography to distinguish and identify individual seals.

The use of drones is not solely aimed at assessing the number of grey seals; researchers are also attempting to create 'passport pictures' of seals that will aid in recognition and tracking. The concept of using photographs for recognition is akin to providing a form of citizenship, as researchers aspire to make their databases internationally accessible, allowing for searches in a shared database for sightings of these animals around the Baltic Sea.

The technological advancements now allow researchers to efficiently compare thousands or even tens of thousands of images, making it easier to track and manage gray seal populations. This initiative not only benefits local biologists but could also foster international cooperation in marine wildlife research, enhancing conservation efforts across borders.