Mammals

Saiga are active during the day, and spend much of their time grazing on various species of grass, herbs and shrubs. They have no fixed home range and can travel several dozen kilometres each day. The nominate subspecies undertakes extensive seasonal migrations, moving up to 1,000 km northwards to the steppe areas at the start of the summer to take advantage of the rich grazing, and returning to the southern desert areas in the autumn. The animals remain in desert areas during the winter, as the snow is not so thick and vegetation is relatively plentiful. The mating season extends from December to January. During this time adult males gather groups of around 5-15 females in harems which they defend aggressively from other males. The males fight fiercely and eat very little during the rut, and up to ninety per cent may perish due to exhaustion. The saigas begin to migrate north in large groups at the beginning of April. The females stop en route, gathering in larger numbers to find a suitable place to give birth. The majority of females in the herd give birth to one or, more usually two, young within the space of a single week, overwhelming predators with the sheer number of offspring. Within a few days of birth the calves are able to travel, and the females break into smaller herds which head northwards to the summer feeding grounds. Here they join the males, and form small groups of around 30-40 animals. Newborns begin to graze at 4-8 days, but not fully weaned until 4 months. Females usually attain sexual maturity at less than a year old, and continue to grow until they are 20 months old. Males can mate at 19-20 months and grow until they reach 24 months. The fact that females mature so early and frequently bear twins enables saigas to expand their populations quickly when conditions permit - in years with a favourable climate the population can increase by up to 60% in a single year. The maximum lifespan of this species in the wild is thought to be 10-12 years, although few animals in a population are likely to survive more than 3.5 years.

The species inhabits open dry steppe grasslands and semi-arid deserts. It is found mainly in flat, open areas with low-growing vegetation, where animals can run quickly to escape predators. It generally avoids areas of broken terrain and dense vegetation.

The population of the nominate subspecies was estimated to be around 50,000 in 2003, down from around 1,250,000 in the mid-1970s. Most are found in Kazakhstan (decline from about 1,000,000 to 30,000 in 2003). The Mongolian population is estimated at around 1,500.

The population has undergone a catastrophic decline, with numbers plummeting from more than one million in 1991 to about 30,000 in 2003.

Overall the species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR A2a) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The nominate subspecies is listed as Critically Endangered (CR A2ad) and the Mongolian subspecies is listed as Endangered (EN A2ad; C1+2a(ii)) .

Saiga have long been hunted for their horns, skin and meat. However, during Soviet times the species was subject to an intensive management programme, and populations remained relatively stable. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, legal controls ended and illegal poaching intensified. Males in particular were targeted for their horns, which were seen as an alternative to rhino horn in traditional oriental medicine. The heavy hunting on male saigas has led to severely skewed sex ratios, and problems of reproductive failure through females being unable to breed because they cannot find a mate. This excaberated the severe population crash caused by poaching, and immediate conservation action is required to ensure wild populations do not become extinct within a few years. Although poaching is the main cause of the species’ decline, it is also at risk in some areas from habitat loss and degradation caused by human encroachment into its habitat, and from the construction of roads and pipelines.

The species is protected nationally in all its range states, and is listed on Appendix II of CITES. The nominate subspecies is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS or the Bonn Convention). However, enforcement is poor in most areas, and poaching remains a major threat. There has been a concerted effort to save the species in recent years, with all range states demonstrating a commitment to saiga conservation. A Memorandum of Understanding and action plan for saiga conservation was drawn up by the Convention on Migratory Species in 2002, and has now been ratified by all the range states; this came into force in September 2006. The Kazakhstan government has provided substantial funding for anti-poaching patrols and aeriel surveys, and has passed legislation strengthening rangers' powers of arrest, while the Russian government has issued a decree for emergency measures for saiga conservation in Kalmykia, and is funding annual population surveys. These measures are supported by international conservation projects, such as a three-year project being carried out by Imperial College, London, in Kalmykia (Russia) and Ustiurt (Kazakhstan). This project aims to strengthen institutions committed to saiga conservation, particularly the Chernye Zemli Biosphere Reserve, which holds a substantial proportion of the European saiga population. The project also focuses on reproductive factors and fecundity, population monitoring, and education and public awareness programmes. Other conservation projects are being carried out by Flora and Fauna International (FFI) on initiatives to enhance rural livelihoods in Ustiurt, and by WWF to address saiga protection in Kazakhstan. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and WWF-Mongolia currently have conservation projects underway for the Mongolian subspecies. A successful captive breeding herd has been established at the Centre for the Study and Conservation of Wild Animals in Kalmykia. Research into saiga husbandry carried out at this centre can potentially be used to set up similar captive herds in other areas of the species’ range. Outside of the saiga's range, the Chinese authorities have implemented measures to strengthen internal controls for stocks of legal saiga horn, and have introduced tougher enforcement on illegal imports of horns.

Although extensive conservation programmes are underway, further measures are needed if the species is to survive. Since the animals undertake seasonal migrations from summer pastures in steppe grassland to winter pastures in desert areas, transboundary cooperation and exchange of information is essential. International cooperation is required, with range states working together with regional and national NGOs and local communities to ensure the saiga has a future. Strengthening of anti-poaching efforts and law enforcement, and improvements in livelihhods of rural people are the main conservation measures required. Other recommended conservation measures include the establishment and improvement of protected areas, particularly during the rut and birth periods. A long-term monitoring programme should be established to monitor the status of the population. It is important to continue work with local communities to develop alternative livelihood opportunities in order to decrease poverty and unsustainable use of resources. The Mongolian subspecies is thought to be particularly at risk from extinction due to its small size and restricted range. Thus, in addition to the above conservation initiatives, a captive breeding centre should be established in Mongolia.

Saiga News (six-monthly e-bulletin)
Provides a six-language forum which provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and information about saiga conservation and ecology

Saiga Conservation Alliance
This collaborative effort between educators and researchers aims to increase the conservation awareness of the saiga antelope and highlight its importance in the steppe ecosystem.

Saiga Information Service
Within the framework of the Biodiversity Conservation Center, this site aims to increase awareness of the saiga antelope, providing information on saiga antelope natural history and issues affecting its conservation.

ARKive. (Jan 2006).

Arylov, Y., Badmaev, V., Bekenov, A., Chimeg, J., Entwistle, A., Grachev, Y. A., Lhagvasuren, B., Lushchekina, A., Mallon, D., Milner-Gulland, E. J. and Ukrainsky, V. 2004. The saiga antelope – teetering on the brink but still cause for hope. Oryx 38(3): 250–251.

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

Hassanin, A. and Douzery, E. J. P. 1999. The Tribal Radiation of the Family Bovidae (Artiodactyla) and the Evolution of the Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 13(2): 227-243.

Kholodova, M. V., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Easton, A. J., Amgalan, L., Arylov, Iu.A, Bekenov, A., Grachev, Iu.A., Lushchekina, A. A. and Ryder, O. 2006. Mitochondrial DNA variation and population structure of the Critically Endangered saiga antelope Saiga tatarica. Oryx 40(1): 103-107.

Lushchekina, A. M. 2004. The saiga protection project in Kalymkia. ZGAP Mitteilungen 20: 6-7.

Lushchekina, A. M., Neronov, V. M., Badmaev, V. S. and Khludnev, A. V. 2005. Territorial organization of nature protection and perspective of saiga survival within its habitat on the right bank of the Volga River. Povolzhskii Ekologicheskii Zhurnal 1:80-85.

Mallon, D.P. 2003. Saiga tatarica. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.

Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th ed. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore and London.

Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.