On March 26–28, 2026, Saida Zeynalova, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Geography, PhD in Geography and Associate Professor, recorded a mass mortality of birds during field research conducted along the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. The incident was observed near the mouth of the Gudyalchay River where it flows into the Caspian Sea, close to Niyazabad village (Shabran district), as well as in the Gilazi–Dili Cape zone.

    The situation observed in the coastal zone is a clear indicator of long-term anthropogenic pressure and ecological stress. The area is effectively covered with household waste: plastic materials, packaging residues, and other anthropogenic pollutants are widely dispersed along the coast, disrupting ecosystem functions and negatively affecting biodiversity. Under such conditions, the mass death of birds cannot be considered accidental. It is a direct consequence of prolonged anthropogenic impact. The birds perished not due to natural causes, but as a result of ecotoxicological stress and toxic exposure generated by human activities.

     Systematic anthropogenic pollution occurs as a result of contamination of water and coastal zones with petroleum products, chemical substances, and heavy metals. These toxins enter food chains, disrupt physiological functions in birds, weaken their immune systems, and ultimately lead to mass mortality events. Contrary to some claims, the issue is not solely related to periodic declines in the level of the Caspian Sea. The primary threat is systematic anthropogenic pollution, which directly harms biodiversity.

    An additional aggravating factor is the presence of a large municipal waste landfill located approximately 2 km from the coast; under the influence of wind and precipitation, waste is transported toward the shoreline and eventually into the sea.

Additional ecological stressors include unfavorable hydrometeorological conditions during migration periods, which lead to exhaustion in birds, depletion of energy reserves, and increased stress levels. It is also considered that the destabilization of airspace and increased acoustic disturbances associated with military operations in the Middle East region may affect bird orientation and migration routes.

    The combined effect of these factors creates a high level of ecological risk, resulting in mass bird mortality in the coastal zone.