112 Dead Seals Found on Caspian Sea Coast in Kazakhstan

A serious environmental incident has been recorded in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan: 112 dead seals have been found on the shore of the Caspian Sea. This alarming news was confirmed by the region's Department of Ecology, raising serious concerns among scientists and the public about the future of the Caspian Sea's unique ecosystem. This is another case of mass death that threatens the region's wildlife.

Given the seriousness of the situation, specialists immediately began an investigation to determine the causes of the mass animal deaths. Water samples were taken from the sea to identify the presence of possible toxic substances or dangerous changes in the water's chemical composition through laboratory tests.

It should be noted that cases of mass seal deaths on the Caspian coast are not new and have become recurrent in recent years. This phenomenon testifies to deep-seated and possibly systemic environmental problems in the region. Studies from previous years have put forward several likely hypotheses that could explain this worrying trend.

According to one version from the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, the cause of similar cases recorded in 2024 could have been a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. This theory suggests that the virus could have been transmitted from birds to seals, causing an epidemic among marine mammals. Another possible cause is considered to be a viral infection affecting the nervous system (neurovirus), which could have been exacerbated by the animals' general immunodeficiency. This means that the seals' bodies could have been weakened by other factors, such as a lack of food or environmental pollution.

In addition to biological factors, a geological hypothesis is also being considered. According to this, the cause of the seals' death could have been asphyxia caused by natural gas emissions from the seabed. Such emissions can sharply reduce the oxygen content in the water, creating deadly conditions for animals.

Which of these hypotheses is relevant to the current case is still unknown. The investigation is ongoing, and specialists hope that the analysis of water samples will help find answers and develop measures to protect the Caspian seal population from future disasters.