Overview
- Stralsund prosecutors opened proceedings against two unnamed individuals on suspicion of violating Section 17 of the Animal Welfare Act after a 2024 cluster of more than 40 dead grey seals.
- Officials say indicia support an initial suspicion of intentional killing, the suspects have not commented, and a decision on possible charges is expected by year’s end.
- Experts ruled out natural causes and reported signs consistent with drowning, with entanglement in nets or fish traps considered, though investigators have not confirmed a mechanism.
- A fish trap examined by authorities was deemed unremarkable and DNA analyses have not produced decisive links to specific perpetrators or carcasses.
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ordered larger fish traps to use seal-protection devices, while complaints from the German Oceanographic Museum, the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve and Sea Shepherd helped trigger the probe; a similar 2017 case ended without charges.