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Study Finds Climate Change Behind Kazakhstan Antelope Die-Off

Scientists from around the world were baffled by the mysterious mass death of 200,000 endangered Saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan in May 2015, but after almost two years of research they now believe factors such as abnormally increased levels of humidity and temperatures were ultimately responsible for their deaths.

The mass death was determined to have been caused by a certain strain of bacteria, which scientists say environmental changes was the causal factor that triggered the growth of the bacteria, the Science Examiner reported this week.

At the time, the antelopes collapsed and died suddenly, when decimated the global population of these endangered animals. In just three weeks, over 60 percent of the global population of the critically endangered animals had been wiped out.

The Science Examimer reports that although their theory has not been and needs more research, researchers have predicted that this unusual death might occur again because of the climatic changes occurring in the region where once these antelopes used to thrive.

The lead author of the study from the Royal Veterinary College London, Prof Richard Kock, who was one of the members of the emergency response team explained this event was something out of the ordinary.

This kind of mass death isn’t expected by any bacterial ailment of this variety. He also said that this event might happen again in future.

Science Examiner reported that a statistical analysis of the environmental conditions in the area was done by the team which led to the confirmation that the temperatures were significantly higher than normal with excessive humidity that helped the growth of bacteria in the animal.

This was not however the first mass die-off of the antelopes. Two such events occurred in the past - in 1981 as well as 1988 in the Central Asia area. The past two events were also linked with unusual temperature changes.

The report stated that apart from bacterial infection, these antelopes are heading towards a critical stage leading to extinction due to poaching as well as diseases acquired via livestock.

Researchers also predict a possible extinction of the species in future. Other species like the reindeer are also vulnerable to mass death incidents, reported Science Examiner.

The findings of this research were published in the journal named Science Advances which stated that the Saiga dropped dead in a large area covering central Kazakhstan.

A study into the cause of death estimated that this was due to blood poisoning that was caused by a bacterium that is found naturally in these antelopes. These bacteria are normally harmless to the animals.

Steffen Zuther, Co-researcher of the Frankfurt Zoological Society/ Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan stated that these mass death events pose a significant threat to the antelopes which can easily wipe out the decades of efforts to conserve the population of Saiga, reported Science Examiner.

He further explained that the mass mortality via climatic changes cannot be controlled, however, it is important to maintain a sufficient number of the population to ensure they don’t go extinct. This event is majorly catastrophic for the long-term existence of an almost extinct species.

The Saiga antelopes thrive mostly in the grasslands in Central Asia area. They can usually be seen in large herds that contain thousands of antelopes in a group.

As confirmed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, these antelopes are at great risk from poaching for horns that are used in traditional Chinese medicines along with danger from habitat loss as well as fires on grasslands, Science Examiner reported.

Study Finds Climate Change Behind Kazakhstan Antelope Die-Off

Scientists think the mass death of 200,000 endangered antelopes were triggered by the growth of bacteria due to higher temperatures.

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Scientists from around the world were baffled by the mysterious mass death of 200,000 endangered Saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan in May 2015, but after almost two years of research they now believe factors such as abnormally increased levels of humidity and temperatures were ultimately responsible for their deaths.

The mass death was determined to have been caused by a certain strain of bacteria, which scientists say environmental changes was the causal factor that triggered the growth of the bacteria, the Science Examiner reported this week.

At the time, the antelopes collapsed and died suddenly, when decimated the global population of these endangered animals. In just three weeks, over 60 percent of the global population of the critically endangered animals had been wiped out.

The Science Examimer reports that although their theory has not been and needs more research, researchers have predicted that this unusual death might occur again because of the climatic changes occurring in the region where once these antelopes used to thrive.

The lead author of the study from the Royal Veterinary College London, Prof Richard Kock, who was one of the members of the emergency response team explained this event was something out of the ordinary.

This kind of mass death isn’t expected by any bacterial ailment of this variety. He also said that this event might happen again in future.

Science Examiner reported that a statistical analysis of the environmental conditions in the area was done by the team which led to the confirmation that the temperatures were significantly higher than normal with excessive humidity that helped the growth of bacteria in the animal.

This was not however the first mass die-off of the antelopes. Two such events occurred in the past - in 1981 as well as 1988 in the Central Asia area. The past two events were also linked with unusual temperature changes.

The report stated that apart from bacterial infection, these antelopes are heading towards a critical stage leading to extinction due to poaching as well as diseases acquired via livestock.

Researchers also predict a possible extinction of the species in future. Other species like the reindeer are also vulnerable to mass death incidents, reported Science Examiner.

The findings of this research were published in the journal named Science Advances which stated that the Saiga dropped dead in a large area covering central Kazakhstan.

A study into the cause of death estimated that this was due to blood poisoning that was caused by a bacterium that is found naturally in these antelopes. These bacteria are normally harmless to the animals.

Steffen Zuther, Co-researcher of the Frankfurt Zoological Society/ Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan stated that these mass death events pose a significant threat to the antelopes which can easily wipe out the decades of efforts to conserve the population of Saiga, reported Science Examiner.

He further explained that the mass mortality via climatic changes cannot be controlled, however, it is important to maintain a sufficient number of the population to ensure they don’t go extinct. This event is majorly catastrophic for the long-term existence of an almost extinct species.

The Saiga antelopes thrive mostly in the grasslands in Central Asia area. They can usually be seen in large herds that contain thousands of antelopes in a group.

As confirmed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, these antelopes are at great risk from poaching for horns that are used in traditional Chinese medicines along with danger from habitat loss as well as fires on grasslands, Science Examiner reported.

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