https://journal.fi/msff/issue/feed 2024-04-18T14:49:33+03:00 Henry Väre henry.vare@helsinki.fi Open Journal Systems https://journal.fi/msff/article/view/145100 2024-04-18T14:15:29+03:00 Henry Pihlström Antti Halkka Sanna Sainmaa Maiju Lanki Outi Simola Antti Oksanen Valdis Pilāts Eero Vesterinen Jaakko Pohjoismäki Ari Puolakoski Janne Granroth Risto Väinölä

<p>In July 2022, a vagrant female Atlantic walrus (<em>Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus</em>) was seen on the south coast of Finland. The same individual, which was called ’Stena’ in the international press, had previously been observed in the waters of several other European countries along the North and Baltic Seas. By the time the animal reached Finnish waters it was in poor condition and did not survive a rescue attempt. Post-mortem investigation revealed that the animal was malnourished and its digestive tract was almost empty, but trace amounts of DNA from bivalves and other aquatic invertebrates could be recovered. However, apart from minor age-related ailment and superficial skin wounds, the walrus showed no obvious signs of illness or injuries. Dental wear suggested that the animal was at least 20 years old. Its body and cranial measurements, including tusk length, were well above the average size for a female Atlantic walrus. Mitochondrial DNA supported its origin in the eastern Barents Sea populations. The specimen was mounted and put on display in the Natural History Museum, Helsinki. This is the first confirmed free-ranging walrus observation in the northern part of the Baltic Sea and Finland.</p>

2024-04-18T00:00:00+03:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Memoranda Societatis pro Fauna et Flora Fennica https://journal.fi/msff/article/view/145103 2024-04-18T14:49:33+03:00 Erik Bonsdorff Moira von Wright

<p>This article describes two observations from the outer archipelago of SW Finland on how adult white-tailed sea eagles (<em>Haliaeetus albicilla</em>) actively train their post-fledged offspring to identify, catch and handle prey outside the nest. This involves synchronised and deliberate behaviour from the adults. Adult-juvenile training may be fundamental, as the food sources are shifting, the competition for abundant food items is strong, and the dependence of alternative prey is increasing.</p>

2024-04-18T00:00:00+03:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Memoranda Societatis pro Fauna et Flora Fennica