The shrinking sea: why the Caspian is under threat – a photo essay

With the rivers that feed it drying up, less rainfall and a hotter climate, the world's largest inland body of water is in peril. With five countries sharing it, can the political will to save this unique habitat be found?

• Text and photographs by Christian Sinibaldi

I used to jump from this rock into the sea just 10 years ago," says Azamat Sarsenbayev, a 33-year-old videographer and environmental activist. Now people are sitting on rocks that were once under water. I remember, as a kid, the sea was much deeper."

On his Instagram page, Sarsenbayev highlights the natural beauty of the Mangystau area of western Kazakhstan where he grew up, including stunning drone footage of the thousands of flamingos that migrate here.