Hundreds of dead seals washed ashore in the Caspian Sea in the Russian republic of Dagestan in the North Caucasus. Russian authorities reported on Saturday about the discovery of 650 to 700 animal carcasses in the capital Makhachkala and published videos about it. The cause of death for the protected animals was initially unclear. The investigation was ongoing.
The Caspian Sea seal is an endangered species and is under special protection. According to animal rights activists, their population has decreased by around 90% in the last 100 years – also because of the increasing pollution of the Caspian Sea, where oil is extracted, for example. According to experts, the animals are dying due to oil spills, poaching and overfishing.