The number of dead seals discovered off the coast of the Caspian Sea initially appeared to be over 150 but later rose to around 300 in Mangistau region, Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

289 carcasses of Caspian seals were found from October 24 to 29 following monitoring conducted by the Zhaiyk-Caspian interregional basin inspectorate in fishery together with the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology employees.

Monitoring of the coastal zone of the Caspian Sea continues, informs acting head of the Mangistau regional fishery inspectorate Andrei Rudskiy. “Representatives of the inspectorate, the local executive body, the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, the branch of the Qazaq balyk Republican Association of Fisheries and Aquaculture are on the scene. The cause of the deaths among seals are to be revealed following the relevant laboratory tests”.

Earlier it was reported that over 150 carcasses of seals were found along the Caspian coastline in Mangistau region as a result of the western storm winds on October 23.

Previously, it was reported that 40 carcasses of Caspian seals were found washed up on the shore of the Caspian Sea in Mangistau region in March and almost 80 in April this year.

Ecologist Adilbek Kozybakov voiced concern over the mass die-off of Caspian seals, attributing it to the lack of real control.

To note, the country added the Caspian seals to its book of endangered species in 2020.