Caspian seal (Phoca caspica Gmelin, 1788) and its current status in the Caspian Sea

Abstract

Abstract Life history of the Caspian seal and its current situation was investigated. Three of habitats of the Caspian seal were surveyed for the presence of the Caspian seals in 2010 and 2011 in Kazakhstan’s coastal region; Kosa Kenderli, Zmeyiniy Bay and Kosa Tyub Karagan. Kosa Kenderli was found to be a resting place for Caspian seals during seasonal migrations. The investigation and interviews with the fishermen reavealed that Zmeyiniy Bay was not preferred by the seals as a migration habitat due to the human activities near this area and the coastal settlements. During the eight-km survey carried out in the coastal area, six died seals were found in the Kosa Tyub-Karagan region. The specimens were measured and recorded, and the ages of two individuals were determined.

Keywords

• Key words: Caspian seal, Caspian Sea, population, negative factors.

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