RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Saigas on the brink: Multidisciplinary analysis of the factors influencing mass mortality events JF Science Advances JO Sci Adv FD American Association for the Advancement of Science SP eaao2314 DO 10.1126/sciadv.aao2314 VO 4 IS 1 A1 Kock, Richard A. A1 Orynbayev, Mukhit A1 Robinson, Sarah A1 Zuther, Steffen A1 Singh, Navinder J. A1 Beauvais, Wendy A1 Morgan, Eric R. A1 Kerimbayev, Aslan A1 Khomenko, Sergei A1 Martineau, Henny M. A1 Rystaeva, Rashida A1 Omarova, Zamira A1 Wolfs, Sara A1 Hawotte, Florent A1 Radoux, Julien A1 Milner-Gulland, Eleanor J. YR 2018 UL http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/1/eaao2314.abstract AB In 2015, more than 200,000 saiga antelopes died in 3 weeks in central Kazakhstan. The proximate cause of death is confirmed as hemorrhagic septicemia caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida type B, based on multiple strands of evidence. Statistical modeling suggests that there was unusually high relative humidity and temperature in the days leading up to the mortality event; temperature and humidity anomalies were also observed in two previous similar events in the same region. The modeled influence of environmental covariates is consistent with known drivers of hemorrhagic septicemia. Given the saiga population’s vulnerability to mass mortality and the likely exacerbation of climate-related and environmental stressors in the future, management of risks to population viability such as poaching and viral livestock disease is urgently needed, as well as robust ongoing veterinary surveillance. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to research mass mortality events under rapid environmental change.