Sputnik News- Iranian activists at a special rehabilitation center on the island of Ashur Ada treat wounded and weakened Caspian seals. Recently, they released their 74th rescued seal back into the sea.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="700"] 74th rescued seal[/caption]

According to the Fararu information service, the release of the 74th consecutive Caspian seal rescued by local veterinarians was marked with a real celebration. The event took place in Bandar Torkaman, Golestan Province on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in the presence of environmentalists and wildlife preservation activists, as well as local television and movie stars.

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="648"] Iranian activists at a special rehabilitation center on the island of Ashur Ada treat wounded and weakened Caspian seals[/caption]

It is reported that the seal was trapped by fishing nets. When it was found, the rescuers took it the rehabilitation center, which has been treating wildlife since 2010. Before the seal was returned to the wild, it went through all necessary medical care and procedures.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="700"] 74th rescued seal[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="700"] 74th rescued seal[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="700"] 74th rescued seal[/caption]

The Caspian seal is the world's smallest seal and the only mammal that lives in the Caspian Sea. The seals only way of hunting is by their whiskers that allow them to hunt under water.

Statistical data on the population of Caspian seals is disappointing. A few decades ago the Caspian Sea was home to about one million seals. This figure has quickly decreased by 90% to one hundred thousand as of today.