Mass die-off of swans in Mangistau region linked to sewage dumping by hotel

Over eight hundred swans have been found dead on Lake Karakol in Mangistau region, Kazinform News Agency reports.

According to a source at the regional forestry and fauna inspection, starting from Dec. 21 a total of 828 swan carcasses were discovered on Lake Karakol. A special group has been formed to investigate the cause of the mass bird die-off.

The public have been alarmed by the videos shared on social media showing dumping of sewage by Atyrau-based Rixos Hotel into Lake Karakol. It is believed that the sewage waters from the hotel might have something to do with the mass bird die-off.

The environment office of Mangistau region vowed to check the alarming videos. On top of that, an expertise involving ecologists and ornithologists will be launched.

It was added that if the hotel is found guilty of dumping sewage waters into the lake, it will face a hefty fine. The exact amount of fine is yet to be determined.

Two years ago Rixos Hotel was fined for 76 million tenge for dumping sewage waters into the Caspian Sea. The hotel is located 20 km from the city of Aktau near the shores of the Caspian Sea.