Birds partially covered in oil have arrived at the Tuzlovski Lymany National Nature Park (Odesa region). This oil likely leaked from the Russian tankers "Volgoneft-212" and "Volgoneft-239," which sank in the Black Sea last December.
This was reported by Ivan Rusev, a doctor of biological sciences and a park employee, who shared a photo of an unfortunate bird that could not be saved.
"Yesterday, birds partially covered in oil arrived. A great crested grebe (a type of aquatic bird - UNIAN) found in the park, which was partially smeared with oil, likely flew in from the accident site. It is known that the great crested grebe flies quickly by flapping its wings and can cover long distances," the scientist explained.
According to him, the bird that did not survive will be sent for examination in Odesa - to the Ukrainian Marine Ecology Center, for laboratory tests. In particular, to check for petroleum products and their possible connection to those that entered the Black Sea during the tanker accident on December 15, 2024.
Rusev added that park staff are also monitoring a great cormorant, which was also covered in oil, but it was impossible to retrieve it from the water.
"The Russians are destroying everything around and killing not only Ukrainians but also the unique life in the Black Sea... As a result of the accident, tens of thousands of birds have died, and this is not the end of the terrible consequences for nature," the scientist pointed out.
According to him, dead cetaceans are found daily, including about 100 common dolphins, which likely died due to the oil leak. Rusev emphasized that during accidents involving petroleum products, the sea only washes up about 5% of the dead. Therefore, as noted by the national park employee, the actual number of dead birds and mammals is already in the thousands.
Details of the Russian Tankers' Accident in the Black Sea
On December 15, 2024, two Russian tankers, "Volgoneft-212" and "Volgoneft-239," sank near the Kerch Strait. This resulted in an oil spill, with pollution recorded along the shores of Anapa in the Krasnodar region of Russia and the Kerch Peninsula. As a result of the accident, aquatic birds, mammals, and others are dying.
According to Vladislav Balinsky, head of the public organization "Green Leaf" and an ecologist, the petroleum products that leaked into the Black Sea could soon reach Odesa.