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Rare seals unique to the landlocked Caspian Sea are dying of canine
distemper. British and Dutch scientists have identified the distemper virus, and
its characteristic tissue damage, in dead Caspian seals (Phoca caspica)
collected this summer. Some 10 000 seals are thought to have succumbed so far
out of an estimated population of 400 000. Feral dogs and wolves preying on
seals are thought to be the source of the Caspian outbreak, which is still
spreading.