"The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) confirmed reports Thursday of a widespread die-off in critically endangered saiga antelope throughout central Kazakhstan, reporting that more than 120,000 of the animals have died since mid-May.

This represents more than a third of the global population — and half of a local population — making this the largest die-off event of the species ever recorded.

In a press release, the U.N. called the deaths "a major blow for conservation efforts," since saiga antelopes had been recovering, up from less than 50,000 animals globally during the past decade. Back in the 1970s, this antelope species numbered above one million, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but this number declined due to habitat loss and poaching."
 
Andrew Freedman reports for Mashablle May 28, 2015. [2]