Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Join Forces to Save Endangered Saiga Antelope

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are deepening their collaboration on wildlife conservation, with a renewed focus on the protection of the critically endangered saiga antelope - a unique steppe species native to Central Asia.

The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan are working in close coordination to strengthen intergovernmental efforts aimed at preserving the species, whose population has declined dramatically in recent decades, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

Once widely distributed across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and southern Russia, the saiga is now listed in the Red List of Uzbekistan and protected under Appendix II of CITES and Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). These designations underscore the need for international cooperation to prevent its extinction.

As part of this initiative, the two countries are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Saiga Conservation, which will lay the legal and institutional groundwork for implementing long-term restoration programs in Uzbekistan.

Key components of the memorandum include the creation of transboundary protected areas, development of migration corridors, habitat restoration, and the reintroduction of saiga herds to historically populated regions. The agreement also calls for joint scientific research, field missions, anti-poaching patrols, training of specialists, and the establishment of monitoring and data-sharing systems.

Efforts will also focus on harmonizing saiga population monitoring methods, developing a shared database, and introducing advanced tools such as satellite tracking, veterinary technologies, and biotech solutions. Public awareness campaigns, stronger enforcement against poaching, and greater international involvement are also key pillars of the plan.

Officials say the joint efforts serve as a model for sustainable cross-border environmental governance and demonstrate both countries' commitment to regional biodiversity protection and global ecological responsibilities.

By prioritizing the preservation of the saiga, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan aim to secure one of Central Asia’s most iconic species and pass on the region’s natural heritage to future generations.