Saiga antelope population rebounds in Kazakhstan after massive decline

The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative led a multi-partner effort to restore the saiga antelope population in Kazakhstan.

Since 2006, the initiative and its partners have worked to reverse a population crash that saw the species lose over 95 percent of its numbers within a decade. The group protected 5 million hectares of grassland to create a safe environment for the animals.

The project used ranger teams, aerial patrols, and sniffer dogs to stop poachers who hunted the saiga for meat and horns used in traditional medicine. Researchers also used satellite tags to track migration patterns and established new reserves, such as Bokey Orda-Ashiozek, to protect these routes. Despite a massive die-off in 2015 caused by a bacterium, the population recovered because poaching remained under control.

By 2026, the count reached roughly 4.6 million animals, a 230 times increase from the early 2000s low point. The initiative also aims to restore the wider grassland ecosystem by reintroducing the kulan, a wild ass, and the Przewalski’s horse, a wild horse species. These animals help shape the steppe through grazing. While the project has successfully moved the saiga from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, it faces ongoing challenges.

Farmers report crop damage and competition for pasture, and authorities must now find ways to balance the needs of local people with the growth of the herds.