Driver: Medicine // Saiga Antelope
The Hidden Rhino
How are Saiga Antelope and Rhinos related? Both species are highly targeted for their horns, which are used in traditional Eastern medicine. While the rhino has received legal protection and heightened awareness, the same treatment has not been extended to Saiga antelope. It is still legal to trade Saiga horn under certain guidelines, and due to natural events the Saiga population is further dwindling.
Saiga by the Numbers
The Saiga Saga
The Saiga antelope have a long history that stretches as far back as the last Ice Age. Although they are not a highly recognized species, they have led a tumultuous existence over the past century. The Saiga have largely been targeted for medicinal purposes, but recently have experienced even more drastic population declines due to other human-driven activities and environmental changes.
Why are Saiga Antelope important?
Saiga antelope are a key species for the steppe ecosystem. Without the Saiga, plant diversity and predator populations dramatically decrease, which ultimately has implications for humans. This simple animation depicts the Saiga's relationship with plants and predators of the steppe. Click here to access the Observable notebook and interact with the animation.
Secondary Drivers
Other than poaching, the Saiga are also threatened by several other factors.
Overhunting for Saiga meat and skins is the second leading cause of population decline.
Saiga migration routes are increasingly encroached on by humans building irrigation, canals, and highways. Many young Saiga die trying to pass these barriers.
Due to males being selectively poached for their horns, there is a gender dichotomy that prolongs the species' ability to bounce back.
Saiga antelope are naturally susceptible to many diseases, which can cause drastic population declines in short periods of time.
Due to climate change, the steppes are becoming more arid. This causes vegetation to degrade, which Saiga antelope rely on for food.
What's Next?
Recently, there has been a greater movement towards conserving the Saiga antelope species. However, due to deep cultural and traditional beliefs, poaching for medicinal uses still needs to be carefully addressed.
Conservation efforts
Organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) of China and Saiga Conservation Alliance are spearheading the recovery of the Saiga antelope population. WCS China has identified a five-point framework to balance Saiga conservation and the use of traditional eastern medicine.
1. Trade monitoring and management
Testing traditional medicine for traces of Saiga horn
Promote enforcement of illegal Saiga horn trade
2. Traditional eastern medicine research
Develop synthetic replacements for Saiga horn
3. Reintroduction and recovery
Facilitate population recovery
Reintroduce captive breeding programs
4. Cooperation
Involve multiple stakeholders in conservation research
5. Public awareness
Raise awareness around consumption of Saiga horn in relevant communities
Current population trends
Saiga population patterns have adapted and population numbers are slowly recovering. For instance, females sexually mature faster and start reproducing at 1 year of age. Saiga also now have mass birthing events over a week rather than spread out through a season to maximize offspring survival.
Experts now estimate that Saiga antelope have a population of around 120,000 individuals, which is an improvement from 40,000. However, without further interventions to protect the species, population numbers will remain low.