Mass Stranding of Dead Seals: Causes Unknown
According to Fisheries Committee, Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture, from the end of March to April 2024, 209 dead Caspian seals were found on the Tyub-Karagan Peninsula coast. The reasons for this mass mortality are unknown as usual.
Fishery Inspection Department for Mangistau Region, Zhaiyk-Caspian Interregional Basin Fisheries Inspectorate, reported the first dead seals on March 29, 2024. 62 seals were found in the Tupkaragan region. 40 seals were sent for disposal and 22 individuals were kept for scientific research. Continuing to patrol the peninsula coast, inspection staff registered 16 dead seals on March 31, 25 individuals on April 8, 12 seals on April 25, and 27 seals on April 26. On April 23 and 24, specialists from the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology joined the monitoring. 67 dead animals were found. A total of 209 dead seals were registered in the Tupkaragan region from March 29 to April 26, 2024.
Employees from Caspian Seals Research and Rehabilitation Center, Department of Ecology for Mangistau Region, a veterinary station and local executive bodies joined in identifying the causes of this mass mortality. Sea water samples and biological samples from seals were collected for laboratory research.
Specialists believe that most of the animals died in winter and were stranded ashore by storm winds. Fisheries Committee does not report the reasons for the tragedy in the Caspian Sea. Inspectors continue monitoring the Kazakstan coastal zone.
Source: Fisheries Committee, Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture (news on 29.03.2024, 02.04.2024, 10.04.2024, 26.04.2024, 29.04.2024).
Photos by Fisheries Committee, Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture.