7. Livestock, Mongolia

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A devastating die-off struck numerous species of livestock during 2010 that took the lives of thousands of sheep, cows, yaks, camels, horses and goats. A summer drought preceded the winter during which the die-off occurred, which deprived many animals of their normal intake of food. Being so dependent on the livestock for their own survival, the lives of residents was endangered by the event, prompting the U.N. to step in and offer assistance.