What threats have caused Caspian seals to become endangered?

The Caspian seal (Pusa caspica) faces multiple threats that have led to its classification as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These pressures include:

• Direct Mortality: The species is threatened by hunting and accidental capture as bycatch in sturgeon fishing nets.12
• Disease: Periodic outbreaks of canine distemper virus have significantly impacted the population since the 1990s.12
• Prey Depletion: The availability of food sources—such as herring, sturgeon, and kilka—has declined due to commercial fishing and water pollution.12
• Invasive Species: The introduction of comb jellyfish into the Caspian Sea has further strained the ecosystem, as these jellyfish consume the zooplankton that the seals' prey species rely on for survival.12

Addressing these threats is a critical conservation priority, as the species' survival depends on mitigating human-driven environmental degradation and managing the health of the Caspian Sea ecosystem.12