Around 2,500 critically endangered Saiga antelopes have been killed by the deadly livestock-borne virus Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Mongolia since December 2016; it was first diagnosed in sheep and goats in September 2016. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their droppings. The shrinking population has a knock-on effect on other species by removing a critical prey base, particularly for the already rare snow leopard. The best way to prevent PPR is via further livestock immunisation, however, this is currently very limited due to Mongolia's economic woes.
Around 2,500 critically endangered Saiga antelopes have been killed by the deadly livestock-borne virus Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Mongolia since December 2016; it was first diagnosed in sheep and goats in September 2016. Saiga antelope numbers globally have been decimated by disease, poaching and loss of habitat. The shrinking population has a knock-on effect on other species by removing a critical prey base, particularly for the already rare snow leopard. The best way to prevent PPR is via further livestock immunisation, however, this is currently very limited due to Mongolia's economic woes.