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25 Dec 2024, 10:03

More than 20 dead dolphins found in Russia’s Krasnodar region after tanker oil spill

Injured dolphins can still swim long distances, which is why sea animals affected by the oil spill may be found far from the emergency area, Tatyana Belei explained

SOCHI, December 25. /TASS/. Environmentalists have found the bodies of 21 dolphins, believed to have been affected by a recent oil spill from two oil tankers in the Black Sea off the coast of Krasnodar Region, Tatyana Belei, director of the Delfa dolphin rescue center, told TASS.

"In total, 21 Azov Sea harbor porpoises have been reported dead, presumably caused by the oil spill since December 15, when the emergency occurred," she said, adding that investigations must be conducted to confirm the exact cause of death for the cetaceans.

According to Belei, on Monday, two dead Azov Sea harbor porpoises were discovered in Novorossiysk, with one of them believed to have perished due to the fuel oil spill as well. While one of the bodies showed no signs of fish debris, injuries, or diseases, the other showed signs of injury. Both mammals appeared to have died recently, the specialist explained.

Additionally, environmentalists discovered 20 dolphins whose deaths were not directly linked to the recent emergency.

Earlier, mass beaching of cetaceans were reported in Novorossiysk, about 60-70 km (32-42 nautical miles) from Anapa, where the oil spill took place.

Injured dolphins can still swim long distances, which is why sea animals affected by the oil spill may be found far from the emergency area, Belei explained.

The Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers were severely damaged in a storm on December 15. According to rescuers, the tankers were carrying about 9,200 tons of fuel oil. The incident resulted in an oil spill in the Black Sea. Clean-up efforts are ongoing.