Why Are So Many Animals Dying Near Water Bodies? Experts Raise Climate and Pollution Alarms
In recent months, reports of dead fish, birds, and mammals found near rivers, lakes, and coastlines have surged globally. From the United States and Ukraine to South America and Asia, environmentalists are sounding the alarm: something is deeply wrong with our aquatic ecosystems. 🌍 A Global Phenomenon In June 2025 alone, over 10,000 dead fish washed ashore along the Oder River in Europe, echoing a similar crisis in 2022. In Brazil’s Amazon region, indigenous communities reported mass deaths of dolphins, likely due to record-high water temperatures exceeding 39°C. Ukraine has not been spared either. Since the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023, biologists have documented thousands of dead fish and birds in the Dnipro basin, with water samples showing severe contamination and declining oxygen levels. 🔬 Key Causes Climate change: Rising water temperatures reduce oxygen levels and increase the risk of harmful algal blooms. Pollution: Agricultural runoff, industri...