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The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is
one of the most unique creatures to roam the steppes
and plains of Central Asia and Russia. It is a
relic of Ice Age fauna that included mammoths
and saber-tooth cats, and once roamed from England
to Alaska and across Central Asia. Herds of saiga
once numbered in the millions, but today, only
40,000 survive in parts of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,
Mongolia, Russia and Turkmenistan. In the past
10 years, saiga numbers have declined 96%, the
fastest decline ever recorded for a mammal species.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 brought
poverty and unregulated hunting to the region.
Borders were opened up to poachers in search of
saiga horns for use in traditional medicine and
for meat to sell and feed to their families. One
pound of saiga horn (1-2 male saiga) can yield
$50. The saiga antelope is listed as Critically
Endangered by IUCN's Red List.
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The saiga's most distinctive feature is a large
tube-shaped nose extending over its mouth that
filters airborne dust during the summer migrations
and warms icy winter air before it reaches the
lungs. Its white winter coat is 70% thicker than
its buff summer coat, an adaptation that makes
it uniquely suited for the harsh habitat of the
steppe. Males have 12-inch long vertical horns,
but females have none. They are migratory and
can cover 70 miles in a day. They roam across
political boundaries and are often in unprotected
areas, vulnerable to cars, trains, canals and
humans. Saiga can run up to 50 mph to avoid wolves,
but cannot outrun humans on motorcycles. Groups
of poachers will encircle large herds of saiga
and run them until they are exhausted. The entire
herd is then easily killed.
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Protection of the male saiga antelope is critical
to the survival of the species. The males' horns
are coveted for traditional medicine. Poaching
for these horns has depleted the number of males
in the remaining populations to a ratio of 1 male
to every 100 females. Recently scientists have
discovered that this low ratio of males is causing
intense competition among the female saiga, where
subordinate females are prevented from mating,
thereby greatly reducing the number of young born
each year. In addition, the rutting season is
difficult for males. Sexually mature males defend
harems of up to 15-40 females. During severe winters,
the males in rut are involved in fierce territorial
battles and guarding their harems against rival
males. Up to 97% of the mature males do not survive
the season. Normally the saiga numbers can absorb
this loss, but current population estimates cannot.
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Another important threat to saiga antelope is
loss of grazing land to ever-increasing numbers
of domestic livestock. Overgrazing of pastures
and poor livestock management techniques have
led to increased competition and degradation of
habitat. Saiga generally reproduce well, often
giving birth to two young each year. But good
pastures and protected areas are needed for the
rutting and birthing seasons.
In response to these threats, the Saiga Conservation
Alliance (SCA) formed throughout the saiga range
countries. The Alliance is a group of scientists
and conservationists working together to bring
the plight of the saiga to the world's attention.
Working locally with communities and governments,
the Alliance has begun to create a new understanding
of the saiga's role in the environment. What began
as a concentrated research effort to collect valuable
information on saiga ecology has evolved into
a community-based conservation initiative across
the range countries.
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Elena Bykova, a native of Uzbekistan, is leading
the way for her country. Although still a fledgling
project, Elena and her team have made a difference
for the saiga and the people of the region. To
alleviate pressure on wild animals hunted for
food, SCA introduced a "rotating cow"
scheme. A cow is given to poor families who could
not otherwise afford one, to provide milk and
offspring for building a small herd. The first
female calf is given back as payment, which will
then contribute to the supply for another family
in need. SCA is also encouraging the breeding
of local livestock that adapt well to the harsh
environment and do the least amount of damage
to the habitat. SCA works with local people to
improve pasture management and animal husbandry
techniques, as well as incorporating management
of the saiga as a crucial part of a healthy steppe
ecosystem.
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Education and awareness-raising programs have
made a difference for the saiga. School children
learn about the saiga as part of their regular
curricula, and take field trips to see them in
the wild. Ecological clubs have formed to learn
about the saiga and the environment, while the
local Buddhist communities have contributed towards
a broader appreciation of conservation of the
steppe. SCA maintains good relations with local
and national governments and has been instrumental
in bringing about policy changes that have begun
to change the future of the saiga for the better.
The governments have renewed bans on hunting and
increased efforts to support a conservation ethic
for their steppe. SCA's strong network of scientists
and conservationists work hard to promote open
and transparent communication to disseminate information
and experience, thus counteracting the fragmenting
influence of the break-up of the Soviet Union.
The network's broad reach and influence is critical
for many range-wide issues, including the threat
of permanent habitat damage by gas exploration
companies. SCA is committed to maintaining productive
and collaborative relationships with these companies
to secure protected areas for the saiga.
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The situation for the saiga antelope is critical.
Saiga Conservation Alliance is an exceptional
model of collaboration, efficiency and local knowledge.
Thanks to their efforts, there is hope for this
unique creature, the flagship species of the steppe.
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