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In a significant wildlife conservation effort, authorities in the West Kazakhstan region seized over 90,000 saiga antelope horns last year. This operation was part of a broader initiative to manage and regulate the saiga population, a species that has faced significant conservation challenges.

Wildlife Population Management

The extensive seizure of horns is a direct result of population control measures undertaken in 2023. These efforts involved a comprehensive census and regulation process. According to data from the previous year's aerial survey, the region is currently home to an estimated 2.3 million saiga antelopes.

Operational Details and Future Plans

To conduct the census and regulation, 18 teams of marksmen were deployed. Eight of these teams operated within specialized enclosures designed for capturing, counting, tagging, and treating the animals. The remaining ten teams were responsible for the culling operations. All confiscated horns have been centrally transferred to the main branch of "Okhotzooprom" in Almaty.

The regional inspection for forestry and wildlife has announced that preparations for the next population monitoring are underway. Deputy head of the regional inspection, Kairat Kadeshev, stated that the spring census is scheduled to begin next week, around April 12th. This census will inform future population management strategies.

The regulation of saiga numbers was carried out in accordance with a government decree last year and is set to continue this year. The aerial census operations are expected to be influenced by these ongoing efforts. The teams involved in these operations received a salary of 4-5 thousand tenge per saiga, a rate expected to remain consistent this year. Preparatory work for the upcoming census is currently in progress.

This initiative highlights Kazakhstan's commitment to protecting its unique wildlife heritage and managing its natural resources sustainably.

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