Experts reveal cause of mass Caspian seal die-off in Mangystau

Kazakhstani experts have identified that a viral neuroinfection was the main cause of death for more than 1,000 Caspian seals in the Mangystau region. The virus was discovered in all the samples, as reported by Lada.kz.

The molecular genetic analysis conducted by the Institute of Microbiology and Virology in Almaty revealed a new viral disease in the brains and lung tissues of the deceased seals.

«All the probes tested positive for the virus. This indicates a viral neuroinfection. The detection of the virus in the animals’ brains proves that it is the sole cause of disease,» explained Aidyn Kydyrmanov, head of a laboratory at the Institute of Microbiology and Virology.

The official report on the animals’ death toll is expected to be released by Feb.1.

Kazakhstan has been experiencing a mass die-off of the Caspian seals for quite a while. In the fall, over 1,000 seals were reported dead along Kazakhstan’s coast and even in the port city of Aktau. Some of the seals were found entangled in fishing nets set by poachers. On top of that, dead birds were also found trapped there.

The Ministry of Ecology reported that fishing nets could be a potential cause of several animals’ deaths. However, the agency later claimed that the seals were killed by a natural gas outbreak triggered by submarine earthquakes.

The Caspian seal, the smallest seal species in the world, is listed as threatened on the Red List of Endangered Species.