Dolphin Deaths in the Black Sea: New Insights
According to ecologist Ivan Rusev from the National Park "Tuzlovski Lymany", the situation concerning dolphins in the Black Sea is alarming.
Russian sources claim that dolphins are dying due to weakened immunity and water pollution. However, ecologists argue that the real cause is the injuries inflicted by military sonars used to detect underwater objects.
"As a result of sonar exposure, which was extensively used in 2022 during the conflict, dolphins suffer from concussions, leading to a compromised immune system. Even after the withdrawal of Russian forces from certain areas, they continue to use dangerous sonars that negatively affect marine mammals. This results in weakened immunity and various diseases, including skin conditions," Rusev explains.
Ecologists estimate that over the past three years, more than 80,000 Black Sea cetaceans have died due to sonar exposure, landmine explosions, and bombings. Additionally, thousands of dolphins have succumbed to pollution from oil spills during tanker accidents in the Kerch Strait.