Friday, May 28, 2010

Strange Fog - Twelve Thousand Saiga Antelopes Dead

Saiga Antelopes Dying In Western Kazakhstan

On May 20, 2010 about 1200 corpses of antelopes were found in the Western Kazakhstan Oblast, AMI Novosti-Kazakhstan reports with the reference to press-service of Ministry of Agriculture. . . . Earlier the emergency ministry reported the death of about 200 saigas.

. . . The inspectors affirm that on May 15-17 they observed some "strangely grey fog" in the above-mentioned area, although the weather was clear.

"The external examination of the dead bodies revealed the abdominal distention, foam and diarrhea. The dead bodies were delivered to the laboratory", the message specifies. Wildlife Disease News (May 24)

Central Asian News: On May 20, 2010 about 1200 corpses of antelopes were found in the Western Kazakhstan Oblast, AMI Novosti-Kazakhstan reports with the reference to press-service of Ministry of Agriculture. At the same time, this message has not been posted at the ministry website – perhaps, the press-service prefers the targeted spread of information instead of reaching wider audience.

Earlier the emergency ministry reported the death of about 200 saigas. According to the Western Kazakhstan Oblast state inspection forest and hunting department, on May 18 about 100 dead bodies of saigas were found in the area of Karaoba, Janibek, Talovka settlements.

The specially established committee started the investigation of the matter on May 20. It revealed over 1000 dead bodies (mainly female saiga) in the Janibek district.

The inspectors affirm that on May 15-17 they observed some "strangely grey fog" in the above-mentioned area, although the weather was clear. "The external examination of the dead bodies revealed the abdominal distention, foam and diarrhea. The dead bodies were delivered to the laboratory", the message specifies.

The Prosecutor General’s office, the ministries of internal affairs, defense, environmental protection, education and science, Western Kazakhstan Oblast Akimat all are informed about the accident.

In the last 20 years the saiga population in Kazakhstan shrank by 24.7 times. In 2009 there were about 81 thousand saigas versus about 1 million in 2000, Kazakhstan Today reports. On the other hand, it was reported in February of 2010 that thanks to the appropriate measures the number of saigas is gradually growing. According to Kazinform, the number of saigas in Kazakhstan increased from 21 000 to 81 000 during 2003-2009.

There are three types of saiga population in Kazakhstan: Betpakdol (domestic population that never left Kazakshtan), Ural (Western Kazakhstan Oblast, occasionally visiting Russian territory) and Ustyurt (Aktobe Oblast, migrating to Uzbekistan in the winter).

The dead bodies of the saiga were the part of Ural population (prior to the accident there were about 26.6 thousand of them). Saiga is listed in the International Red book.

AFP AFP: Mystery Disease Kills Rare Kazakh Antelopes
BBC Mystery Mass Antelope Deaths Kazakhstan

Footnotes:

December 1952: Thousands of Londoners were killed when a toxic fog descended on the English capital. The fog, carrying a deadly mixture of dense coal smoke, literally poisoned the populace and is still considered one of the deadliest environmental incidents on record. The black fog was so thick that some reported they could not even see their feet as they walked the London streets. The lethal fog lasted from December 5 to the 9th, and in the end as many as 12,000 were dead from its effects. [Earth Mysteries]

Life On Planet earth? Is Not What It Seems!