Saiga antelope are remarkable migratory ungulates that have experienced catastrophic die-off events. In 2015, over 200,000 saigas died in days — one of the largest wildlife mortality events ever recorded.
The 2015 saiga die-off was unprecedented in recorded wildlife history for its speed and scale. Animals died from haemorrhagic septicaemia within hours of showing first signs — a welfare catastrophe at a scale almost impossible to conceive. Individual animals experienced rapid physiological collapse; the welfare dimension of mass mortality events involves both the acute suffering of dying animals and the psychological impact on surviving group members. Climate change is increasing the frequency of the weather conditions that trigger such events, making saiga welfare increasingly precarious. Conservation efforts combining anti-poaching, habitat protection, and disease surveillance are the primary tools available to prevent future catastrophic mortality events.