Kegel seals before Rügen: Unexplained dying alarmed environmentalist!

Kegel seals before Rügen: Unexplained dying alarmed environmentalist!

Rügen, Deutschland - A worrying topic currently employs residents and conservationists on the coast of Rügen: the unexplained cause of death among the cone seals. According to NDR have been discovered over 40 carcasses of these majestic animals on the east coast since October 2024, with a large part of it examined became. In the first six months of 2025, at least ten bevel seals were dissected, while about 20 more carcasses were still waiting for their analysis in the cold store.

The current investigation by the Stralsund public prosecutor's office is only part of the picture: it is determined against unknown persons because of a possible violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Environmental Protection Minister Till Backhaus has emphasized that no evidence of a connection between the injuries to the animals and the existing fishing regulations has so far been found. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense and unclear.

causes research in the course of

First examinations have shown that some cone seals have signs of drowning. The histological findings are particularly revealing, which illustrate that three of the examined animals have died in fishing nets. The violations of the organs contradict the assumption of a natural death and make the possibility of injuries to human activities plausible. In particular, the possibility of a targeted poisoning is regarded by experts as a serious consideration, as reported by the Tagesschau

The gray seal, as the largest seal species in Germany, can be up to three meters long and weigh up to 300 kilograms. According to Bfn , this kind is opportunistic hunters that show a certain annual loyalty. It remains to be seen how the number of carcasses will develop in the course of the year, with significantly fewer animals have been found this year. But the data is not yet evaluated, so that the exact situation remains unclear.

protective measures and the role of fishing

In response to worrying incidents, the authorities have already issued new regulations. Larger fishing reuses in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will have to be equipped with seal protection devices in the future, a measure that previously only applied to the Greifswald Bodden. Judith Denkinger, a representative of nature conservation, praised this initiative and emphasizes how important working with the authorities is in this context.

But these measures may not be sufficient. Henning von Nordheim calls for further proactive steps to improve fishing with seal -safe fishing equipment. A high proportion-around 20 percent-of the seal in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has already died, which also underlines the urgency of these measures. This work is also supported by the Institute for Terrestrical and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) in Büsum, which is supported by the scientists of the Stralsund Sea Museum.

How the situation will develop remains to be seen. It is clear that the cone seal as protected species that occurs in the Baltic Sea needs increasing protection. This situation is not only important for the animals, but also for regional fishing. Current projects for up -to -person increase in the research area should start from January 2026 in order to clarify the causes faster. In the future, fishing reuses subject to approval in the region may only be set up with special protective devices-a step in the right direction, which could also bring additional challenges for fishing.