Localization

Saiga tatartica : middle Asie

Saiga mongoliana : Mongolia

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Threats

Traditional medicine

Poaching

Diseases

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Population

Growing populations

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I.U.C.N. : N.T. - Near Threatened (updated 11/12/2023)

C.I.T.E.S : Appendix II

Bonn Convention : Appendix II

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Trade

​Global Asia :

The horns of males are very popular in traditional Asian medicine.​

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Chine (P.R.C.) :

• WORKSHOP ON THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF SAIGA ANTELOPE Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China (27-29/09/2010)

Unexplained catastrophic population declines and subsequent recoveries were observed throughout the species' range in the early to mid-1900s. The current decline can be attributed to the combined effects of changes in vegetation to species less palatable to saiga antelope, competition with domestic livestock, increased abundance of predators, disruption of migration routes, poaching and illegal trade. Continued poaching for meat and the illegal trade in horns are seriously exacerbating conservation efforts, especially at this time when all populations of the species are declining. [...]

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Sustainable use and trade regulation:

Formalize the lines of communication started at the workshop (e.g. through the CITES range and consumer State authorities) and use these lines of communication to:

i) Explore possible bilateral collaboration between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and range states

ii) Develop options for the establishment of a fund or other enabling mechanism through which the TCM industry could provide financial, technical and human resources to range States to address identified and mutually agreed priorities for in situ restoration of saiga trees.

iii) Identify and establish incentive programs that benefit local communities within the saiga range and gain their support for conservation efforts.

iv) To explore the feasibility and means of using horns from natural sources, mortality, and government or judicial confiscations.

(v) Continue efforts in China to verify and control reported stockpiles of saiga parts. Share lessons learned with other consumer and range States.

(vi) Continue research to:

a) reduce the use of saiga in traditional Chinese medicine and b) identify alternatives to saiga horn.

vii) To consider elements of a possible long-term trade relationship between the MCT, industry and range States, which could serve as a means to prevent poaching and illegal trade in saiga antelope.

(viii) Strengthen law enforcement cooperation (e.g. information or intelligence, experience, equipment, capacity building, etc.) between range and consumer States.

(ix) Review and revise, as appropriate, national policies to ensure consistency with conservation and sustainable use objectives.

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Kazakhstan :

• Workshop on the Implementation and Coordination of the Saiga Antelope (Saiga spp.) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and other CMS Instruments for Migratory Ungulates in Kazakhstan (17-18/02/2011)

The meeting, chaired by Mr. Khairbek Mussabaev (Forestry and Hunting Committee), confirmed [...] a dramatic increase in poaching exclusively targeting saiga horns, which are only worn by saiga males and is therefore likely to lead to a serious decline in males.

The following priority measures for the conservation of saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan have been identified within the framework of the MTIWP 2011-2015: [...] Strengthen the relevant capacities of agencies involved in the prevention of illegal trade and export of horns and horn products, such as customs.

The participants further [...] recommended:

(i) to include the above-mentioned priorities in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and other sectoral development programmes in Kazakhstan

(ii) improve coordination between government agencies involved in the fight against the saiga tree. conservation and protection (e.g., customs, police, border patrol) and

(iii) improve the process of interaction and negotiation with the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and enterprises, reiterating the recommendations of the Urumqi Saiga meeting in 2010.

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It has been reported that poaching in Betpak-dala has become more high-tech and that the population of Ustiurt continues to decline rapidly. Also, partnerships with Chinese agencies (CITES and the UNEP/CMS secretariat) were under negotiation at the time of writing. It was necessary to ensure that a bilateral project would not fuel the illegal trade in saiga horn. [...] For the population of Ustiurt, it is necessary to strengthen the fight against poaching, and for the population of Betpak-Dala, the need to strengthen the involvement of the local population in the conservation of the saiga tree.

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The increase in poaching of saiga horn was discussed with law enforcement agencies in the saiga area and with the Astana Prosecutor General's Office in 2010. The Ministry of Communication and Information has instructed its central and regional divisions to ban all advertising for the sale or trade of saiga horn in the media. Mr. Sergei Orlov, representative of the state-owned company Okhotzooprom, added that there were anecdotal reports of illegal structures in Kazakhstan that processed saiga horn and exported the crushed product. Until now, customs had not encountered such cases. The price of saiga horn is said to have increased, which has boosted the supply of saiga horn.

It is also planned to improve the capacity and level of awareness of the services involved in the prevention of illegal trade and exports, including the customs services.

Creation of resources and databases that can be consulted online, as part of the MOU.

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Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia and Turkmenistan:

• Saiga Antelope Memorandum of Understanding (2006)

Noting that the Saiga antelope is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (Washington, D.C., 1973);

Concerned about the unsustainable or illegal domestic and international trade in specimens of the species;

Aware that the CITES Standing Committee has recommended the development of a regional strategy for the conservation of the saiga antelope;

Concerned that poaching and illegal trade in horns and other products, uncontrolled hunting, destruction of habitats and construction of irrigation canals, roads and other obstacles to natural dispersal and migration have contributed to the recent decline in saiga antelope populations, and that economic hardship, impoverishment of local communities and poor land-use planning are causes, which must be remedied to preserve the saiga antelope;

Noting the need to improve the protection of the Saiga antelope and its habitats in each range State and the importance of regional cooperation for its conservation, restoration and sustainable use, including international trade;

Recognizing that coordinated and concerted national and transboundary actions by the authorities of the range States responsible for the conservation and management of the Saiga Antelope, subregional, regional and international organizations, professional and trade associations, local communities, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders would enhance its conservation, its recovery and sustainable use, as well as those of habitats and ecosystems that are important to its long-term survival.

The Parties AGREE to collaborate on the improvement of the conservation status of the Saiga Antelope throughout its range and to undertake national and joint activities to conserve, restore and sustainably use the species and habitats and ecosystems important for its long-term survival, including the measures specified in the Action Plan which is annexed to and forms an integral part of this Memorandum of Understanding.

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References :

MOU Text | Saiga Antelope (cms.int)

Saiga tatarica | CMS

Espèces | CMS

Saiga_WorkShop_Urumqi_FINAL_REPORT_English.pdf (cms.int)

Meeting Recommendations_En_rev_3May11.pdf (cms.int)

Meeting_Report_Eng_with_annexes_rev.pdf (cms.int)

Saiga Conservation Alliance (11/12/2023)