Dozens of dead seals have been discovered along the Caspian Sea coast in western Kazakhstan after a monitoring mission near Kulaly Island.

Officials and environmental experts found 37 seal carcasses during a several-hour survey of the island’s shoreline in Mangystau Region. The inspection covered several kilometers of coastal territory, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The operation was launched following an initiative by volunteer and eco-activist Daniyar Akimzhanov. Representatives of state agencies and specialists from the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology also took part.

Samples were collected from seven seals for further laboratory analysis as authorities seek to determine the cause of the deaths. Two small vessels and a high-speed coast guard boat were used during the monitoring mission.