Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology reports death of more than 800 swans at the Karakol Lake
The number of dead swans at the Karakol Lake in the Mangystau region reached 828. Local authorities have initiated an urgent inspection of Rixos Aktau due to suspicions that the hotel is the main cause of water pollution in the lake.
What happened? According to Jomart Aliyev, head of the Committee for Ecological Control and Regulation under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, specialists have found an increased number of pollutants in the lake and launched an urgent inspection of Rixos Aktau, a big hotel located in the area.
«Once the inspection is completed, we will take legal actions against those who violated the law,» he said.
How many swans have died? Nurken Sharbiyev, deputy minister of ecology and natural resources, said the number of dead swans increased.
«Over the period from December 21, 2023, to January 9, 2024, we have identified and removed 828 dead swans. We are inspecting the space surrounding the Karakol Lake every day following the special duty schedule for local inspectors and personnel of the natural reserve,» the official highlighted.
The context. Environmental activists of the Mangystau region noticed mass mortality of swans on the Karakol Lake near the city of Aktau and cited bird flu as the cause of the incident.
Azamat Sarsenbayev, a blogger from Aktau, however, was the first to report the birds’ massive mortality. He made a video of the lake and dead swans with the help of a drone. After publishing this video, he was accused by local authorities of being the cause of swans’ massive deaths because allegedly his drone scared the birds which were «weakened after a long flight and made them vulnerable to bird flu.»
The blogger received a fine of $101.06, which he paid out through crowdfunding as he denied any wrongdoing.
When did authorities in Kazakhstan report bird flu last time? In December 2022, veterinarians reported bird flu cases among wild swans in the Mangystau region. They also reported some cases of mass mortality of swans at the Karakol Lake, which serves as a recreational place for wild birds during their passages.
At the time, the ministry sent about 20,000 vaccine shots to protect poultry in the area, while local poultry plants increased their vet control.
