ASTANA.  May 22. KAZINFORM The number of dead Saiga antelopes in West Kazakhstan oblast has risen up to 3, 200 heads to date, the press service of the Emergencies Ministry informs.

"As of 17:30 May 21, the number of dead antelopes on the area of 4, 500 ha was 3, 200 heads", a press release reads.

On May 20 the Ministry of Emergencies received information about extensive losses of rare Saiga antelopes on the area of Zhanibek municipality in West Kazakhstan. A commission for investigation of the accident was formed.

As of May 20 the number of antelopes made 1, 200 heads.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there were clear signs of poisoning: swollen stomachs, greenish foam coming out of their mouths and diarrhea.

Yerlan Nysanbayev, a representative of the Ministry, called the situation a tragedy. "If we find that the accident was caused by human factor, a criminal case will be launched", he said.

According to him, the estimated population of Saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan is around 90, 000. In West Kazakhstan their number is around 26, 000.