Abstract
At the end of 1950s the population of the saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in the North-West Pre-Caspian region counted over 800,000 individuals. Estimates of 2008 suggested that about 18,000 saigas were left, in a reduced range area, and after the severe 2009–2010 winter the population has declined to only 8,000 animals. To understand the present conditions a detailed study was conducted using our own field observations (2003–2008), all available literature data over more than 50 years, and long-term data of several meteorological stations located in the area of saiga habitation. Results show that the main reasons for the catastrophic decline in saiga numbers were decreases in the number of adult males and in general fertility of the females. Juvenile mortality in recent years stayed within the limits of long-term fluctuations. The weight of newborn saigas does not differ (and presently is even higher) from that at the end of the 1950s. Comparison of our observations with data on fluctuations in average annual temperature and rainfall showed that there was no direct effect of climatic factors on the state of this population. Accordingly, in the North-West Pre-Caspian region additional measures should be urgently taken to secure the survival of this unique ungulate.
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Notes
- 1.
The Appendix-II listings of saiga antelope by the CMS and CITES have been updated to include two species, Saiga tatarica and Saiga borealis in accordance with Wilson and Reeder (2005). However, this proposal has to be evaluated in the light of further genetic and morphological studies of modern and fossil specimens of saigas.
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Acknowledgments
During our long-term studies we had help from many colleagues and local people. We are very thankful to them and also mentioned with appreciation the generous support of different funds: the Darwin Initiative “Using saiga antelope conservation to improve rural livelihoods”, INTAS “Reproductive ecology of the Critically Endangered saiga antelope”, UK Government’s DEFRA Small Environmental Projects Scheme, “Rotating cows as a tool for saiga antelope conservation”, the Darwin Initiative “Evaluating approaches to public engagement in saiga conservation”, the UNESCO MAB/Secretariat, the Fundamental Research Programme of the Department of Biology Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, “Russia’s Biological Resources: Conditions assessment and Monitoring Fundamentals” (Project II.10).
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Neronov, V.M., Lushchekina, A.A., Karimova, T.Y., Arylova, N.Y. (2012). Population Dynamics of a Key Steppe Species in a Changing World: The Critically Endangered Saiga Antelope. In: Werger, M., van Staalduinen, M. (eds) Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World. Plant and Vegetation, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3886-7_12
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