Number of dead Caspian seals rises to 533 in Kazakhstan

The number of dead seals discovered off the coast of the Tupkaragan peninsula of the Caspian Sea rose to 533, Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.  

289 carcasses of Caspian seals were found from October 24 to 29 following monitoring conducted by the Zhaiyk-Caspian interregional basin inspectorate in fishery together with the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology employees.

According to Assel Baimukanova, operator and specialist in environmental education at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology of Kazakhstan, more than half of the female seals examined were pregnant.

Earlier the ecology department officials of Mangistau region collected the water samples from the Caspian Sea coastline, where the carcasses of seals were found. The results indicated no abnormal deviations.

Earlier it was reported that over 150 carcasses of seals were found along the Caspian coastline in Mangistau region as a result of the western storm winds on October 23.

Previously, it was reported that 40 carcasses of Caspian seals were found washed up on the shore of the Caspian Sea in Mangistau region in March and almost 80 in April this year.

Ecologist Adilbek Kozybakov voiced concern over the mass die-off of Caspian seals, attributing it to the lack of real control.

To note, the country added the Caspian seals to its book of endangered species in 2020.