According to reports, dolphins in the Black Sea have been dying due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This is happening because of the fatal injuries caused by military equipment.
Thousands of dolphins have been found dead between February and mid-May. Many Dolphins washed up on the coasts of Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. The fatality among marine animals in the region is increasing every passing day.
According to researchers, the use of sonars and constant underwater noise caused by military activities is a major reason behind the recent dolphin deaths in the region.
Another reason for the current state of dolphins is noise pollution in the Black Sea due to the presence of large Russian warships and military operations.
The sonar noise emitted from warships could be a reason as it interferes with the dolphins’ communication pattern, scientists say.
Scientists fear that the war in Ukraine may have interfered with dolphins’ habitat. The war has adversely impacted the marine ecosystem.
How Russian-Ukrain war is causing a threat to the lives of Dolphins?
Ivan Rusev, an environmental scientist at Ukraine’s Tuzla Estuaries National Nature Park said, “Dolphins had burns from bombs or mine explosions and they could no longer navigate and of course could not look for food.”
Several of the fishes have already migrated towards the south to Turkey and Bulgaria.
Dr. Pavel Gol’din, a researcher at Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, told a newspaper that the acoustic trauma may explain the strandings, and the loud underwater noise caused by military activities is contributing to the dolphins’ fatalities.