Radio | News week in plain Finnish | Sunday 1.6.2025
Prices of protected natural species.
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The topic of this week’s news is the prices of protected species. The prices come into effect if someone intentionally harms a species.
The law protects protected species
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The spotted eagle is a large bird of prey. It is about 65 cm long and has a wingspan of 160 cm. Photo: FLPA/Shutterstock
Protected plants and animals have received new prices.
A protected species is a species of living organism that is protected by law. Not all species may be picked or caught.
Many endangered species have been protected. Endangered species are in danger of extinction.
If someone picks or destroys an endangered plant, they may be prosecuted.
The police will first investigate the matter. If charges are filed and the perpetrator is convicted, he or she will have to pay the value of the item and fines.
The police are currently investigating an incident in which forestry machinery drove over the Hukkajoki River in Suomussalmi. The river was filled with many endangered species of otters.
The Arctic fox is Finland’s most valuable mammal
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The Arctic fox lives in the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In Finland, it lives in Northern Lapland. Photo: imago/blickwinkel/ All Over Pres
The arctic fox is the most expensive mammal in Finland. A mammal is an animal that gives birth to live young and is fed milk by its mother.
The value of a polar bear used to be 7,400 euros and now it is almost 18,000 euros.
The price of freshwater pearl mussels, or raw mussels, also rose significantly. Before, the value of raw mussels was around 600 euros, but now it is around 1,500 euros.
Many colonies of brute animals no longer reproduce.
The spotted eagle is the most valuable bird. Its price is almost 13,000 euros.
The value of some species also decreased. For example, the value of the white-tailed eagle decreased because there are more of them now than before.
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A river pearl mussel, photographed on May 15th in Hukkajoki, Suomussalmi. Photo: Timo Sihvonen
Now plants also have prices
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The Mayflower grows to a height of 10–25 centimeters. It flowers in June. Photo: FLPA/Shutterstock
The plants received prices for the first time.
The most valuable plant is the May palm, which costs almost 6,500 euros.
If someone picks 15 May beetles, they will have to pay almost 100,000 euros.
Prices are based on the Nature Conservation Act.
A total of 478 protected species received the award. The majority of these are animal species, with around 160 plant species.
The prices were lowered by the Ministry of the Environment.
Other valuable species
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The Saimaa ringed seal lives in Lake Saimaa, which is the largest lake in Finland, in Eastern Finland. Photo: Mervi Kunnasranta/University of Eastern Finland
Protected plants and animals have received new prices. Let’s talk about more valuable species.
The 3 most valuable mammals are the Arctic fox, the porpoise and the Saimaa ringed seal.
The 3 most valuable birds are the white-tailed eagle, the black-tailed goose, and the snowy owl.
The 3 most valuable plants are the May palm, the northern cradle lily and the sand pansy.
Repetition
The topic of the week in the news was the prices of protected natural species.
If someone harms a protected species, they will have to pay for it.
Now even protected plants have prices.
This was Uutisviikko in plain Finnish. Goodbye! See you again next Saturday!