Mystery over mass antelope deaths in Kazakhstan

[DDcorvus]

A mystery disease has killed more than 10,000 saiga antelope in Kazakhstan.

Conservationists are warning that the mass deaths could spell disaster for the saiga, which is already an endangered species.

The figure could account for up to a quarter of the global population of the species.


BBC News - Mystery over mass antelope deaths in Kazakhstan


source bbc

 

[cockroach]

May be the Icelandic volcano is responsible

 

[Pertinax]

I believe Saiga as a species are susceptable to periodic massive fluctuations in their population levels, so this may not necessarily spell disaster as indicated.

 

[Baldur]

May be the Icelandic volcano is responsible

Oh I would feel very guilty if that was it Delaying the vacation of millions of people is one thing but to kill the wonderful Saiga antelope by the thousands is another.

However, I wonder if these could be brought back into captivity to save them. They bred in Cologne and in the past in other zoos.

 

[Shirokuma]

Are there any saiga currently in captivity? Moscow?

 

[Jana]

Are there any saiga currently in captivity? Moscow?

The EARAZA Yearbook lists 189 saigas at Ascania Nova and 1,2 animals at Moscow zoo at 31.12.2008 (but I think those 1,2 don´t live in the city zoo, but in the non-public breeding facility at Volokolamsk).

 

[DDcorvus]

isis also puts one female in San Diego. Is that correct?

 

[Pertinax]

However, I wonder if these could be brought back into captivity to save them. They bred in Cologne and in the past in other zoos.

But they don't seem to prosper longterm in zoos, do they? Maybe they 'die off' as they do in the wild. I think they like a very dry 'steppe' climate and perhaps aren't suited to damp/wet climates.

 

[jwer]

isis also puts one female in San Diego. Is that correct?

False entry, there were animals at San Diego at some point in the 80's and I believe into the 90's but they are long gone now.