Decades of hard work on the part of national and international conservation partners have reaped rich rewards for the saiga, one of the world\u2019s most charismatic and, until recently, most endangered antelopes.<\/p>\n
The IUCN Red List status of this timeless talisman of the Central Asian steppes has been changed from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened.<\/p>\n
The dramatic downlisting reflects a remarkable rebound in saiga numbers, particularly its Kazakhstan stronghold, where populations have bounced back from a perilously low 48,000 individuals in 2005 to a new high of over 1.9 million.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard not to romanticize the Central Asian steppes with all their great history of intercultural exchange and travel. But leering at all the passing Turkic tribes, Mongol hordes, peaceful nomads, and Marco Polo would have been the saiga antelope.<\/p>\n
The most characteristic feature of this animal are without a doubt the pair of bloated downward-facing nostrils, and the gorgeous, ringed horns sported only by the males. Large nostrils are typical of sprinters or cold weather environments, but it\u2019s possible they are also a display tool for potential mates.<\/p>\n
Described by Fauna and Flora International as a \u201cgenuine collaborative effort\u201d involving state governments, research institutes, and conservation NGOs, the return of the saiga has featured many \u201cfalse dawns.\u201d Of particular impediment to their recovery has been frequent outbreaks of zoological diseases.<\/p>\n
While the stronghold of the saiga is in Kazakhstan\u2014the largest member of the Central Asian \u201cstans\u201d there are populations as far away as Russia and China, with the latter protecting it with the same stringency as giant pandas, rhinos, tigers, slow lorises, a variety of Critically Endangered monkeys, elephants, and Przewalski\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n
\u201cSaiga have been roaming in the Eurasian steppe territories for thousands of years, way before our current generation was born,\u201d said Samat Toigonbaev, Fauna & Flora Project Manager, Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen staying in the steppe, I can sense that invisible feeling of pride the local people have towards saiga. Witnessing them running through the steppe in vast numbers again has been one of my brightest life experiences. And it is our utmost duty to conserve it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Kazakh government has consistently legislated to protect the saiga; as recently as 2021 designated two new protected areas on their behalf totaling over 1.5 million acres.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs one of the most successful recoveries of a terrestrial mammal ever recorded, this\u2026 illustrates how conservation can be effective if all parties collaborate with a strong mission and appropriate resourcing\u201d, says Vera Voronova, Executive Director of ACBK, a Kazakh national civil society organization that was part of the conservation efforts.<\/p>\n