Nature sometimes delivers stark reminders of its fragile balance. On Tuesday, over 320 dead Caspian seals were discovered along the shoreline of Dagestan, between the Sulak and Terek river estuaries, raising concerns among conservationists and local authorities.
According to reports from the regional emergency services cited by Tass, the number of casualties could rise as patrols continue along the coast. While the sight of so many dead animals is alarming, experts stress that such events are not entirely unexpected during the seals’ annual migration.
The Dagestan Ministry of Natural Resources explained that Caspian seal deaths tend to peak during this period each year. “Scientists believe the main cause is asphyxiation of animals passing through areas of powerful natural gas emissions from the seabed associated with seismic activity,” the ministry stated. These natural emissions, combined with shifting migratory routes, create hazardous zones where the seals can succumb to suffocation.
Caspian seals, a species unique to the region, are particularly vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Conservationists note that while mass die-offs are part of the natural cycle, human-induced pressures—such as industrial activity, climate change, and pollution—can exacerbate these events, threatening the population’s long-term survival.
This latest discovery highlights the delicate interplay between nature’s forces and the species that inhabit it, reminding the global community of the need to monitor and protect unique ecosystems like the Caspian Sea.
Author Tuğçe Nur Kaya
Newstimehub News Center
