A powerful snowstorm has left dozens of young seal pups stranded on the steppe near the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. They may have been carried inland by strong winds or confused by the blurring of ice and snow. The blizzard disrupted local infrastructure and oil operations, and the plight of the seals raises concerns about their declining population due to various environmental threats.
Recently, dozens of young seal pups were discovered wandering in the desolate steppe adjacent to the Caspian Sea, having been stranded due to an intense snowstorm in southwestern Kazakhstan. Andrei Rucki from the Mangystau Region fisheries inspection noted, “These are young seals, just a few months old. At this age, they typically stay close to their mothers near the ice.” He explained that strong winds might have carried them away from their natural habitat.
Ecologist Adilbek Kozybakov proposed another explanation, suggesting that the ice-covered sea and the snow-draped shoreline may have created confusion for the seal pups, making it hard for them to identify water from land. “Initially, only a few were reported, but now we are seeing dozens. The exact cause remains unclear,” he stated. The situation has worsened due to a severe blizzard that rendered roads impassable for days while also interrupting oilfield activities in the area.
Reports from the Kazakh news outlet Zakon indicate uncertainty regarding the total number of stranded seals or those that have been rescued, as updates are still emerging. The Caspian nerpa, recognized as the sole native seal species of the Caspian Sea, is currently facing a significant decline in population attributed to poaching, pollution, decreasing water levels, and habitat destruction. It is noteworthy that Mangystau, one of Kazakhstan’s most industrialized regions, serves as a vital center for oil and gas production despite its limited population size of fewer than 800,000 residents across 165,000 square kilometers, which is twice the size of Poland.
The alarming situation of the stranded seal pups highlights the challenges posed by severe weather conditions and environmental factors affecting wildlife in the Caspian region. The struggle faced by the Caspian nerpa emphasizes the need for monitoring and conservation efforts to address its declining population. Understanding the causes behind such incidents is crucial for preventing future occurrences and ensuring the survival of this native species.
Original Source: tvpworld.com
