An oil spill has reached Shidvar island, a protected wildlife sanctuary in Iran's Persian Gulf, according to videos circulating online showing environmental damage to the pristine habitat.

Footage from the island shows birds, sea turtles and crabs trapped in thick mounds of tar that have washed ashore. The contamination has affected the sanctuary's characteristic turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

Shidvar island serves as a protected wildlife refuge in the Persian Gulf region. The island's ecosystem supports various marine species and migratory birds that use the area as a nesting and feeding ground.

The extent of the oil spill and its source remain unclear. Iranian authorities have not yet released official statements about cleanup efforts or the environmental impact assessment of the contamination.

Oil spills in the Persian Gulf pose significant environmental risks due to the region's sensitive marine ecosystems and the shallow, enclosed nature of the waterway, which can concentrate pollutants and extend their environmental impact.