TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The Saiga antelope, which faced a perilous decline since the breakup of the Soviet Union, has demonstrated a remarkable recovery, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to alter its status from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened.
EXPLANATION:
- Despite disease outbreaks and challenges, conservation efforts have contributed significantly to its survival.
Saiga Population and Decline
- In 2003, merely 6% of the Saiga population remained, marking a drastic decline from an estimated one million in the early 1990s.
- The antelope species, existing since the last Ice Age, were originally spread across the Eurasian Steppe but now inhabit fragmented populations within Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan.
Conservation Impact and Efforts
- The positive change in the Saiga’s global Red List status is attributed to effective national and international conservation initiatives, particularly in Kazakhstan.
- Kazakhstan witnessed a substantial recovery in Saiga populations, increasing from a critical low of 48,000 in 2005 to over 1.9 million, largely due to anti-poaching measures, law enforcement, and the establishment of protected areas.
Government and Civil Society Collaboration
- The Government of Kazakhstan has taken commendable leadership in species recovery, investing in impactful actions and forming collaborations with civil society.
- This inclusive network involves government bodies, conservationists, academics, and international experts.
- International organizations like the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have played significant roles in facilitating coordinated conservation efforts across Saiga habitats.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects
- While there has been a notable increase in Saiga populations in Kazakhstan and Mongolia, the species still faces challenges.
- Challenges include ongoing poaching, illegal trade, disease outbreaks, climate change impacts, human interference, and infrastructure development, all of which threaten the Saiga’s full recovery.
Continued Conservation Efforts
- Efforts to sustain recovery include maintaining population monitoring, protecting key habitats, collaborating with local communities for awareness and conservation actions and addressing persistent threats to Saiga populations.
- While progress has been significant, the Saiga’s full recovery will only be achieved by restoring its ecological role across its entire range and addressing the persisting threats to its existence.
Conclusion
- The Saiga antelope’s resurgence from the brink of extinction is a testament to the success of coordinated conservation efforts, particularly in Kazakhstan, and international collaboration.
- However, sustained efforts are crucial to ensuring the Saiga’s continued recovery and securing its place in the vast Eurasian Steppe ecosystem.
