Wildlife

Saiga Antelope Welfare on Central Asian Steppes

Saiga antelopes are vulnerable to mass mortality events, poaching, and steppe habitat degradation affecting millions of animals.

Key Facts

Saiga underwent catastrophic mass die-offs in 2015 killing 200,000 animals
Pasteurella bacteria triggered by climate stress cause mass mortality
Poaching for horns remains a major welfare threat
Infrastructure barriers fragment migration routes
Populations are recovering but remain vulnerable

Welfare Considerations

Mass mortality events cause immense suffering as thousands of animals die within hours from hemorrhagic septicemia. Surviving calves orphaned during die-offs face near-certain death. Poaching inflicts pain through snaring and shooting. Infrastructure fragmentation forces animals into suboptimal habitats with inadequate food.

What You Can Do

Support saiga conservation funds working on anti-poaching
Advocate for removal of barrier infrastructure on migration routes
Donate to research into mass mortality event prediction
Support regulations banning saiga horn trade
Engage with Central Asian governments on steppe protection