On the sidelines of the 14th Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), a gathering took place to acknowledge and amplify the achievements in the restoration of saiga antelopes across Central Asia, the Ministry of Ecology and natural resources reported.
Hosted by the delegation of Kazakhstan, the event "Recognition and Development the Success of Transboundary Cooperation on the Restoration of the Saiga Antelope in Central Asia" brought together stakeholders and experts to discuss the protection, reproduction, and sustainable use of saigas.
The event was inaugurated by Nurken Sharbiyev, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, and Polina Orlinskiy, a representative of the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), setting the stage for a series of insightful discussions. Key speakers included Andrey Kim, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife; Khalilulla Sherimbetov, Head of the Protected Areas department at the State Committee for Ecology and Environment Protection of Uzbekistan; Buvei Baatar, representing Mongolia; Alyona Krivosheyeva, representing the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan; and Dr. Eleanor Milner-Gulland, Director of the Alliance for the Conservation of Saiga Antelope.
A pivotal moment highlighted was the recent reclassification of the saiga antelope by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), moving it from the Critically Endangered category to Near Threatened. This shift, attributed to successful conservation efforts in Kazakhstan, marks a significant achievement for both the nation and the global environmental community. However, speakers emphasized the importance of sustaining efforts across all ranges of countries to ensure the long-term survival of the species.
Transboundary cooperation emerged as a key theme, with participants stressing the need for strengthened collaboration among Central Asian nations. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Saiga Antelope, signed by Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, was lauded for its role in fostering collaboration and engaging civil society partners. Representatives from the CMS Secretariat urged countries to deepen their cooperation further to address the remaining challenges in saiga conservation effectively.
In addition, Nurken Sharbiyev, leading the Kazakhstan delegation, engaged in several productive meetings on the sidelines of CMS COP14. These included discussions with Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, as well as representatives from Mongolia, the secretariats of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and CMS, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Saiga Antelope
The Saiga antelope, known scientifically as Saiga tatarica and S. borealis Mongolia, is a sizable migratory herbivore indigenous to Central Asia, inhabiting regions across Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Typically found in open dry steppe grasslands and semi-arid deserts, the saiga possesses a distinctive appearance characterized by an unusually large and flexible nose, serving as a specialized filter. This unique nasal structure aids in filtering dust kicked up by herds during summer months and warming freezing air during winter before it reaches their lungs.
During spring, large herds of female saiga congregate and migrate to breeding areas. In summer, these herds splinter into smaller groups, reconvening in autumn to migrate to winter grounds. The length of these journeys varies depending on weather and forage availability, sometimes spanning up to 1,000 km annually, predominantly following a north-south direction but also exhibiting nomadic patterns.
In the 1990s, the saiga population experienced a catastrophic decline, plummeting by approximately 95% from over 1.5 mn to 50,000 individuals across its range, primarily due to rampant poaching. The horns of saiga are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, leading to widespread illegal trade exacerbated by economic hardships and weakened enforcement following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Currently, five subpopulations of saiga exist, with the largest residing in central Kazakhstan (Betpak Dala) and the second largest in the Urals spanning Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. Other subpopulations are found in Kalmykia (Russian Federation) and the Ustyurt Plateau region (southern Kazakhstan and northwestern Uzbekistan), with a smaller population in western Mongolia. Combined, these subpopulations total around 200,000 saigas. However, poaching remains a significant threat, driven by high demand for saiga horns on the black market. Additionally, a surge in mass mortality, likely due to diseases, has emerged as a further threat since 2010. Finally, the expansion of extractive industries and associated infrastructure development contributes to habitat fragmentation and degradation for the saiga.
The saiga antelope is included in Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). Recognizing the urgent need for conservation efforts, all countries within the Saiga's range signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Conservation, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of the Saiga Antelope in 2006 under the auspices of the CMS. To facilitate the implementation of this MOU, the Medium-term International Work Programme for the Saiga Antelope (2011-2015) was adopted, outlining conservation priorities such as anti-poaching measures, sustainable use and trade, and research and monitoring for the entire saiga population, along with specific measures tailored to individual subpopulations.
The saiga is also a focal species within the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI), which includes a Programme of Work dedicated to its conservation. Additionally, the CMS Infrastructure Guidelines aim to address the impacts of linear infrastructure on various Central Asian migratory mammals, including the saiga.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes the saiga as critically endangered, highlighting its precarious status in the wild. Furthermore, the saiga is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), underscoring the need for international cooperation in regulating its trade to ensure its survival.
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