Oil Spill Affects Dolphins

A significant environmental crisis has unfolded in the Kerch Strait, a body of water separating the Crimean Peninsula from southern Russia. The disaster began when two tankers, caught in a storm, spilled a large amount of fuel oil into the sea about three weeks ago.

The consequences of this spill have been severe, particularly for marine life. According to the Delfa Dolphin Rescue and Research Center, 32 dolphins have died since the incident. These deaths are believed to be directly related to the oil contamination in the water. The center also reported that most of the deceased dolphins belong to the endangered Azov species, highlighting the grave impact on an already vulnerable population.

Efforts to mitigate the damage are underway. Russian authorities and volunteers have been working tirelessly to clean up the affected areas. They have already removed over 96,000 tons of contaminated sand and soil from the shorelines of the Krasnodar region. However, the full extent of the environmental damage remains to be seen, as oil has now been detected as far as Sevastopol, about 155 miles from the initial spill site.