Baikal seals are endemic to Lake Baikal in Siberia and is the only seal restricted to fresh water. Baikal seals are carnivores primarily eating noncommercial fish species. Baikal seals are solitary animals, but several seals may congregate and share access holes in the ice. This species was heavily hunted in the 1930's for pelts, oil and meat which severely depleted the population. Harvesting is now restricted and populations are stable.