Mysterious deaths of grey seals spark investigation in Germany

The discovery of nearly 50 dead grey seals on the German island of Rügen has raised concerns among ecological organisations. Several environmental protection organisations have expressed suspicions of a crime being committed in connection with this incident.

The German prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation, while biologists are analysing samples and data to determine the causes of this mass die-off. Preliminary studies indicate that the animals were healthy before death, ruling out disease as the cause of their demise.

So far, no evidence has been found to suggest that human activities such as offshore construction work or intensive fishing contributed to the tragedy. However, ecologists suggest that the seals may have fallen victim to entanglement in fishermen's nets. Post-mortem results for some animals have revealed injuries that confirm this hypothesis.

The case is reminiscent of a similar incident from 2017, reported by the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. At that time, a series of mysterious seal deaths were also discovered near Rügen, but despite intensive studies and investigations, the exact cause of their deaths could not be determined. The current situation presents another challenge for scientists and investigators while also sparking debate about the threats human activity may pose to marine life.

The grey seal is a strictly protected species, characterised by a semi-aquatic lifestyle and typical of the coastal zone. On the German Baltic coast, the population of these mammals was once close to extinction, but due to intensive conservation efforts, their numbers have gradually begun to increase.