Nine dolphins, 300 seabirds found dead on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast

Nine dolphins and more than 300 Mediterranean shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan) have been found dead along a stretch of Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coastline. According to the conservation organisation Green Balkans, the affected area spans a significant section of the coast, from Shabla Tuzla to Durankulak.

A field team from the organisation returned overnight and is preparing to carry out autopsies on the animals, with results expected within ten days. While the cause of death remains unclear, early indications suggest possible human involvement.

“Throughout the day, we received reports of a large number of dead birds along the northern coast, as well as nine dolphins,” said Dr Rusko Petrov of the Wildlife Rescue Centre, speaking to broadcaster bTV. The response involved staff, veterinary students and volunteers.

Regional authorities launched an inspection following an emergency call reporting dead seabirds near Shabla. An expert commission, including representatives from environmental, health and food safety bodies, carried out checks at Ezerets Beach.

Officials confirmed scattered bird carcasses along the shoreline, as well as two dead dolphins, identified by specialists as bottlenose dolphins. Water samples have been taken from the sea and Shabla Lake, while additional biological samples have been collected for analysis.

Initial laboratory tests ruled out avian influenza as the cause of death.

Local authorities have outlined measures to clean up the affected beaches, with the mayor of Shabla confirming that operations are ready to begin. Monitoring of the area will continue as the incident remains under investigation.

The Mediterranean, or Yelkouan, shearwater is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

Editor: E. Radkova