Uzbekistan Launches Landmark Effort to Relocate 500 Saigas from Kazakhstan

The Republic of Uzbekistan has announced a major step in wildlife conservation with plans to relocate 500 saiga antelopes from neighboring Kazakhstan.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, is being implemented in cooperation with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

“This relocation marks a pivotal step in our efforts to conserve rare species,” said Uzbek Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov. “Our experts will closely monitor the saigas’ adaptation to the local ecosystem, helping to ensure their survival and integration into Uzbekistan’s environment.”

The project is seen as a significant contribution to restoring biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem resilience in Uzbekistan. It is also expected to strengthen regional cooperation in the field of wildlife protection.

The announcement follows Kazakhstan’s launch of a saiga population control program in July 2025. With numbers in the West Kazakhstan region soaring past 2.3 million, authorities aim to reduce the population to around 460,000 to prevent overgrazing and ensure ecological balance.

In a broader move to manage saiga numbers across the region, Kazakhstan also plans to donate 1,500 saigas to China, underscoring a growing international commitment to the preservation of this endangered species.

The saiga antelope, known for its distinctive bulbous nose and high-speed endurance, is listed as critically endangered and is native to the steppes of Central Asia.