Saigas, an Endangered Antelope, Dying of Mystery Disease
▻http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/science/saiga-antelope-mystery-disease-die-off.html
In the past two weeks, more than third of all saigas have been killed, conservationists have found.[...]
“To lose 120,000 animals in two or three weeks is a phenomenal thing.”
[...]
The scientists found that the animals were infected with two species of deadly bacteria, Pasteurella and Clostridium. But Dr. Kock is convinced that the bacteria are not the fundamental cause of the die-off.
Both species of bacteria are present in healthy animals, becoming lethal only when the animals grow weak. Dr. Kock also observed that the saiga died so quickly from their infections that they could not have spread the bacteria to other animals.
“The time period is too short,” he said.
Dr. Kock and his colleagues are investigating other factors that may have triggered the die-off, including the possibility of an unknown virus. Dr. Kock said it will take three or four weeks to isolate any agent in the necropsy tissues.
The scientists are also looking at how changes in the environment may have put stress on the saiga. Heavy rainfall this year may have altered the ecology of the steppes, disrupting their food supply, for example.
[...]
“The die-off may not be over,” she said. “This is unconfirmed, but it fills us with great fear.”
