Reports from wildlife rescue organizations or Russian environmental agencies

Cleanup Efforts Underway in Anapa as 73,000 Tons of Oil-Contaminated Sand and 2,100 Birds Rescued from Black Sea Coastline

Jan 2, 2025, 07:31 AM

Authorities in Anapa, Russia, are addressing the aftermath of a recent oil spill in the Black Sea, which was exacerbated by an overnight storm. The storm caused waves to push numerous oil-covered birds ashore, prompting volunteers to rescue them. Krasnodar Vice Governor Igor Galas reported that thousands of tons of oil-contaminated sand have been removed from the coastline. As of January 2, nearly 73,000 tons of contaminated sand have been transported from Anapa and the Temryuk region to a temporary storage site due to the full capacity of disposal facilities. Russian officials have warned of severe environmental damage as cleanup efforts continue, with new oil discharges detected along the coast. Veterinarians and volunteers have successfully rescued over 2,100 birds affected by the spill.