Number of dead Caspian seals reached 801

Astana. April 30. Kazakhstan Today - The number of dead seals that have been found in the Kazakhstan part of the coast of the Caspian Sea has reached 801. The Emergency Ministry press service informed the agency.

According to the press service, as of 18.00 p.m., April 29 total number of dead seals has made 801, 623 of whom are seal calves and 178 - adult seals. In total within two days there have been found 77 more dead seals.

The first carcasses of dead seals were found at the coast of the Caspian Sea on March 30, in the area of Kalamkas dam near the Karazhanbas Kalamkas deposits.

According to the preliminary data, mass death of the Caspian Sea seals occurred due to unfavorable weather conditions: increasing temperatures during the winter months have not allowed the major part of the Northeast Caspian Sea to cover with ice that could increase mortality rate of population of seals. As a result of the conducted analyses in the Scientific Research Institute for Biological Safety of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, the virus of plagues carnivorous has been found in the seals' carcasses.

Pending final results of researches of the samples taken from the dead animals, the Emergency Department of Mangystau oblast has created working group to observe alive Caspian seals in places of their gathering.

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