Experts Identify Possible Cause of Caspian Seal Deaths in Mangystau

The Fisheries Committee has identified a possible cause of the mass death of seals discovered along the Caspian coast yesterday, Orda.kz reports.

On November 3, ecologists found 112 dead seals in the Tupkaragan district of the Mangystau region. Most of the animals were already in an advanced state of decomposition.

According to preliminary findings from specialists at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, the seals likely died more than a month ago, and storm winds may have recently washed their carcasses ashore.

Experts suggest that one of the likely causes of the mass deaths is a weakened immune system among the seals, making them more susceptible to infections.

Specialists and Tupkaragan district akimat employees continue to inspect the coastline daily and collect the seals for analysis.

The police have launched a pre-trial investigation into the incident.

The Ministry of Agriculture previously identified similar causes in other cases of mass seal deaths recorded along the Caspian coast in 2022–2024.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova