Risks to the growth, conservation and management of the Ural Saiga population

Abstract

The Ural saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) inhabits the expansive steppes and deserts of Kazakhstan. Disease outbreaks, particularly among livestock, can impact saiga populations by causing competition for resources and increasing mortality rates. This study focuses on the risks faced by the saiga population in Western Kazakhstan, along with strategies for their conservation and effective management. The research and data collection were conducted in the Kaztalov, Zhangala, Bokeyorda, and Zhanybek districts of West Kazakhstan, in the natural habitat and migration range of the Ural saiga population. To thoroughly assess the potential risks, we undertook a detailed analysis involving multiple data points, which encompassed monitoring, necropsy, microorganism isolation, and an examination of existing records between the years 2011 and 2024. By the conclusion of our study, we organized the identified risks into three distinct categories: biotic factors, abiotic factors, and anthropogenic factors. As a result of the evaluations made according to the categories, pathogenic bacteria (Pasteurella multocida, Clostridium perfringens), helminths, and ticks were identified as biotic risks; natural and climatic conditions (storms and lightning) as abiotic risks; and poaching and human practices in the fields as anthropogenic risks. This organization allowed us to clearly identify the specific risks faced by antelopes, providing insights that can inform future conservation efforts.