Saiga Antelope Mortality 100% w/i Days In Some Populations; Population Down 95% Since 2000

[hatrack]

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At least 150,000 adult saiga antelopes were buried during a fortnight in May, but scientists say the actual figure will be significantly higher as many more carcasses were found but not counted as part of the burials. Calves were not counted, but it is thought that hundreds of thousands died too.

Known for their distinctive cylindrical snout, bulging eyes and curled horns as well as their ability to survive dramatic changes in temperature, the animals are one of the most endangered species on the planet. Before the most recent die-off, the estimated population was between 250,000 and 320,000. The die-off has only occurred in the plains of Kazakhstan, where 90% of the global population resides.

The mass mortality defies understanding of how biological systems normally behave, scientists have said. They believe the deaths occurred too quickly to be attributed to a transmissible disease. There are no wounds or evident trauma that would point to poaching and no obvious signs of malnutrition. Soil and water samples have not revealed any significant presence of toxins or poisoning by radiation, despite claims by Kazakhstan activists that fuel from Russian rockets could be to blame.

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The phenomenon is all the more notable for the 100% mortality rate recorded among some populations, an “extremely rare” event, said Kock. “This is not really normal for a biological system. It’s bizarre, extremely rare and doesn’t make a lot of sense. Usually in a system, a proportion die and get sick,” he said.

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http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/03/half-of-worlds-rare-antelope-population-died-within-weeks

[sue4e3]

1. I read this back in june you think they would have an answer by now

[sue4e3]

2. I was thinking when I read this it was some new(to that area) parasite That has found some part of

it's life cycle in something these animals mostly eat. I am positive climate change had a role.