A grim discovery of 191 dead seals along the Caspian Sea coast in western Kazakhstan's Mangystau region marks a mass mortality event for an endangered species, local media reported Friday.

The carcasses of Caspian seals were washed ashore by northwestern winds over the past two to three days, said Konarbay Bazarbayev, head of the regional fisheries inspection department.

Water and soil samples were taken, while experts from the Kazakh Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology collected samples of teeth, claws and internal organs to determine the marine mammals' cause of death, Bazarbayev added.

According to the institute, the seals likely died more than a month ago. Based on long-term research, scientists say the probable causes include weakened immunity and reduced overall resistance, making the animals more susceptible to infectious diseases.

In 2025, a total of 2,212 seals were found dead along Kazakhstan's Caspian coast.