Cause of Their Death is Unknown

From October 15 to 17, 2023, Fisheries Inspection Department of Mangystau Region registered dead seals and sturgeons on the Kazakhstan coast of the Caspian Sea. 51 seals and 75 sturgeons were found on the Tyub-Karagan Peninsula and taken to a landfill near Bautino for disposal. Another 48 seals were found on the coast near Karazhambas oil field, located on the Buzachi Peninsula.

It is assumed that the animals were washed up on two peninsulas as a result of strong northern and north-western winds on October 10-11. The Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology (IGE) collected biomaterial samples to determine the age of seals, and conducted morphometric research (this study is funded by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan under grant No. BR10264205). Dead seals were not injured with fishing gear or any mechanical devices.

The cause of Caspian seals and sturgeons’ death has not been determined.

Information and photographs were credited by the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, Kazakhstan.