Over 120,000 saiga antelopes have been reported as dead in central Kazakhstan, a major setback to conservation efforts geared at preserving the animal's numbers.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, preliminary analysis showed that a combination of biological and environmental factors led to the massive die-off which primarily affected mothers and calves. In all herds affected, no survivors have been reported. With 90 percent of the saiga antelope population located in Kazakhstan, the event has prompted the establishment of a working group to examine what contributed to the die-off so another one in the future can be prevented.
At Kazakhstan's request, the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) embarked on an emergency mission to assist in the working group. According to information from CMS members on the ground, two pathogens have been singled out as contributors to the die-off. However, despite being opportunistic, the pathogens Clostridia and Pasteurella are only deadly if the host's immune system has already been compromised.
This means that there are other factors at play in the incident, which were responsible for weakening the immune systems of saiga antelopes and allowing the pathogens to take hold. Experts are now investigating vegetation, weather and other potential trigger factors in the area to isolate other contributors to the die-off. So far, the working group has ruled out rocket fuel as a contributor.
Mass mortality events are actually nothing new to saiga antelopes but the extent of the damage this time is far worse than anything the animal has encountered. The last die-off reported in saiga antelopes occurred in 2010 and claimed 12,000 animals.
Fortunately, saiga antelopes quickly rebound from die-offs because it's common for them to have twins at every birth.
"Our hope is that if we can control what is driving these mass mortality events as well as tackle the number one threat to saigas," said Bradnee Chambers, CMS executive secretary.
Kazakhstan has been faithfully enforcing the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on saiga conservation and restoration, establishing protected areas and setting up anti-poaching patrols. The Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan and the Frankfurt Zoological Society have also signed this memorandum of understanding and are actively aiding Kazakhstan's efforts by providing logistical and technical support and funds for emergency response missions. Another partners, the Saiga Conservation Alliance, offers assistance through scientific input.
Prior to the die-off, Kazakhstan's saiga antelope population was at about 250,000, according to an aerial survey carried out by the country's national monitoring program.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Flickr
