2,500 red-listed dead seals found in the Caspian Sea

On the coast of the Caspian Sea in Dagestan 2.5 thousand dead seals were found. This was reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Dagestan.

"Along the entire coast of the Caspian Sea on the territory of the republic, specialists of environmental protection structures continue measures to count the number of dead seals. Unfortunately, the number has increased significantly and is now 2,500 seals. The bodies are found at different locations", - reads the published report.

It is noted that a large number of seals were found in the area of Yuzbash, as well as between the mouths of the Sulak and Shurinka rivers.

"This is the most mass death of Caspian seals in the last ten years. The causes will be established after laboratory tests of pathological material of dead animals," the department added.

According to the head of the Caspian Environmental Center, Zaur Gapizov, preliminary signs of human impact on them have not been found.

The head of the Caspian Environmental Center stressed that the number of found dead seals may be much higher, because they are thrown out by the storm. "Only in our presence five carcasses were thrown out", - he added.

At the same time, Gapizov stressed that, tentatively, no human influence was detected. "Seals in nets or with skins removed were not found. Absolutely intact carcasses, they are two weeks old," he said.