Strikingly Many Dead Grey Seals Found on German Baltic Coast

Since the beginning of May 2026, more than 20 dead grey seals have been discovered along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, primarily on the southeastern coast of Rügen, with additional findings on Usedom and in the Greifswald Bodden. The cause of death remains unclear, according to the Schwerin Ministry of the Environment. Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) stated that the deaths are being taken seriously but cautioned against speculation, emphasizing the need for scientific investigation. Current inspections have found no evidence linking the deaths to fishing activities, as all traps have required entry barriers and no seal bycatch has been reported. The article highlights ongoing efforts to determine the cause of this unusual mortality event among grey seals, which are among Germany's largest native predators.