All news

Animal abuse probe opened as 2 dolphins, seal and sea lion cub die in Primorye aquarium

The new aquarium in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok was opened in early September

VLADIVOSTOK, October 25. /TASS/. Two dolphins died on Tuesday morning at the Primosrky aquarium in Russia’s Far East city of Vladivostok, and police have launched an investigation, the director of the aquarium, Vadim Serkov, told TASS.

Earlier a sea lion cub named Stark died at the aquarium, he was found extremely malnourished on the shore of Sakhalin Island and turned over to the aquarium.

"At the moment the necessary procedures are in progress in order to establish the circumstances of these incidents," Russia’s Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk said.

Meanwhile, criminal charges of "animal mistreatment" have been filed concerning the death of a seal at the Primorsky aquarium, Volk added. The veterinary examination showed that "the seal suffered an injury that caused its death," the spokesperson said.

The Primosrky aquarium was opened in early September this year. It includes 500 fish tanks for over 500 fish and mamal species