ASTANA, November 12. /TASS/. Scientists are investigating why more than 1,000 seals were found dead along the Caspian Sea coast in Kazakhstan's Mangystau Region, Director of the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology Mirgaliy Baimukanov told TASS.

"The number of dead seals has exceeded 1,000. The beaching of dead animals may continue, as westerly winds blow towards our coast, so we should expect more strandings," he said.

The agency source noted that it is still too early to definitively determine the cause of the animals' deaths. "We are currently collecting data. A large number of parties need to be involved to identify the cause - this could be the release of pollutants or natural events, such as seismic activity, so input from geologists is also necessary. Virologists need to weigh in to determine whether the animals carried any viruses that could have caused their deaths," Baimukanov said.

He noted that traces of injuries were found on some of the dead seals, but, according to the specialist, this is not enough to determine a cause of death.

The Caspian seal is listed in Kazakhstan's Red Book, meaning it is endangered. According to the TASS source, the death of each animal poses a significant threat to the population. "According to our data, very few seals live beyond the age of 30-50 years. Middle-aged seals, which could contribute to population reproduction, are dying. When seals die at this age, it is an irreparable loss," Baimukanov concluded.

The Caspian seal is the only mammal native to this water body. It is listed in Russia's Red Book. In December 2022, experts began to record that the seals were dying in huge numbers on the Russian coast of the Caspian Sea. Then, approximately 1,700 seal carcasses were found in Dagestan, with no signs of net-related injuries.