Saiga
Saiga
Written by Редактор Friday, 17 September 2010 22:35
The small grants program’s project of Saiga Conservation Alliance was launched in September 2009. The project’s goal was to develop information stands and booklets on the issues of saiga population decline, and activities aiming to preserve this unique species. One of the objectives of this project is to provide regular excursions for visitors on the basis of established stand-exposure in the museum.
Saiga (Saiga tatarica) – is a migrating hoofed animal, which has two subspecies and five major populations, three of the latter inhabit Kazakhstan, one Russia (Kalmykia) and one Mongolia. Saiga’s international status – is “on the verge of extinction”! There were more than one million of saigas in Kazakhstan at the beginning of 90-s. By the end of XXth century their number have dropped dramatically to 20 000 individuals. 95% of the population was wiped out literally within 10 years. We have not known such a large-scale extermination of large mammals.
Immoderate hunting and poaching are the main reasons of saiga disappearance. There are several reasons for poaching,
one of them – is a low standard of living, people were forced to kill animals to provide food for their family. Another category of poachers -
are wealthy people who kill saigas for their pleasure. One of the acutest reasons for the extermination of saiga is its horn. The saiga’s horns are exported to China illegally, where they are used to produce traditional medicine.
When the number of saiga population has fallen to critical level the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has undertaken this problem. Since 1999, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has introduced countrywide ban against prey on these animals. Actually the ban is extended till 2011. Currently, local inspections have increased the poachers capture control. The basic protection of saiga is carried on by RSCE "Okhotzooprom”.
For the purpose of strengthening penalties for illegal extraction of saiga the standards of Criminal Code and the CAO RK have undergone some amendments and additions. The Order of the Committee of FHH dated September 22, 2005 № 206 prohibits the removal of saigas, collection, storage, acquisition or sale of their horns and products throughout the territory of Kazakhstan till 2011, except for scientific purposes .
In 2005 for the purpose of protecting saiga the Government of Kazakhstan in partnership with the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan launched “Altyn Dala” - Environmental Initiative. The goal of the Environmental Initiative “Altyn Dala” is to preserve the steppe and semi-desert ecosystems of Kazakhstan and critical species of animals living in them. The latter is going to be realized by improving the network in the protected areas and areas of sustainable use of wildlife. More information on the EI “Altyn Dala” is available at the site of Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan www.acbk.kz
Karaganda Ecological Museum welcomes everyone to visit the new exhibit, learn more about unique animals such as saigas and the reason of their extinction.
