A devastating fuel oil spill from two storm-damaged tankers has led to the deaths of 32 dolphins, according to an animal rescue group. The Delfa centre, based in Russia, reported the deaths of 61 cetaceans, with 32 “most likely” caused by the spill that occurred three weeks ago in the Kerch Strait, which separates the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula from southern Russia’s Krasnodar region.
The centre confirmed that the majority of the dolphins killed were “Azov” dolphins, a type of harbour porpoise closely related to belugas and narwhals. They noted that most of the cetaceans likely perished within the first 10 days following the disaster, judging by the condition of the bodies.
Cetaceans, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are vulnerable to such environmental catastrophes, and the oil spill has caused severe harm to marine life in the area.
In response to the crisis, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry announced that over 96,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil had been cleared from affected shorelines in the Krasnodar region. Meanwhile, officials in Crimea declared a regional emergency after oil traces were found on the shores of Sevastopol, the peninsula’s largest city, located about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Kerch Strait.