In Central Asia lives a very peculiar-looking animal, the saiga antelope. This migratory herbivore, straight out of a science fiction movie, is one of the most incredible conservation stories. In 2003, the saiga population dropped below 20,000 and was listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Poaching, smuggling, loss of natural habitat, and diseases almost brought it to the brink.

But thanks to unyielding conservation efforts, this potato-nosed animal has made a remarkable comeback, and its status was adjusted to Near Threatened in December 2023. In 2024, according to the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA), there were 2.83 million saigas across the world, with 90% of its population located in Kazakhstan, as reported by Fauna & Flora. But the fight is not over.

Among the challenges that persist, we observe poaching. Used in traditional medicine, saiga horns are present in Asian markets, according to the Species Victim Impact Statements (SVIS) initiative.

In 2024, the Kazakh government seized two large hauls in the country, one of 320 horns and another of 4,500, a very concerning number. Initiatives seek to identify trafficking routes, according to SVIS, remove horn advertisements on the internet, and counter poachers’ attacks thanks to rangers’ intervention. For example, SCA works hard to “manage, catalogue, and store saiga horn stockpiles”.

Additionally, due to the saiga population’s increase in Kazakhstan, more conflicts between this animal and local farmers have been reported. The saigas trample the crops and compete with livestock for resources.

The number of farmers’ complaints “led to greater pressure on the government to begin saiga culling in Kazakhstan”, explains the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative. In response, the organisation counters, “The saiga antelope is not a ‘pest species’ requiring control”. Supported by the SCA, they affirm that population control goes against saiga conservation strategy in Kazakhstan.

Image credit: Picture of saiga antelopes in Kostanay region, Kazakhstan. Photo by Aleksandr Putilin, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Several initiatives are prioritised to protect saigas, notably through education. In Mongolia, where the saiga population reached more than 23,000 individuals in 2024, according to SCA, WWF-Mongolia has set up “children’s eco clubs” to teach and involve new generations in conservation efforts. Moreover, WWF hopes, “Environmental education of children can change the behaviour of adult family members involved in illegal hunting and trade”.

The Fifth Meeting of the Signatories to the Saiga MOU (MOS5), held in March 2025 under the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), also wishes to “integrate saiga… in curricula of local schools”, through a work programme for 2025-2030.

Initiatives also focus on rangers’ education and support. Rangers are an integral part of saiga conservation. They help protect saigas against poachers, sometimes leading to attacks against rangers, some of which have been fatal, as in January 2019, reported by SVIS.

Furthermore, rangers help farmers redirect saigas, as explained in the article by Discover Wildlife.

To help out rangers through their different missions, SCA announced in January 2025 the provision of new winter uniforms. MOS5 also discusses the provision of “up-to-date equipment, including vehicles, binoculars, and communication tools” to rangers, and trainings “to monitor saiga”.

While saigas have increased in Kazakhstan, other countries, such as Mongolia, and Uzbekistan, count smaller populations. As SCA stated, collaborative efforts between these countries and Kazakhstan are necessary to ensure saiga’s conservation worldwide.

Image credit: Picture of a baby saiga antelope. Photo by Dasha Urvachova on Unsplash.

Although saigas seem out of danger and the hard work is recognised, it is essential to continue working towards a full recovery. By winning in 2024 the ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ category of the Eartshot Prize, Altyn Dala will expand protected areas, monitor saigas, and counter climate change’s effects in the steppe.

The MOS5 event further supports conservationists and organisations in establishing common objectives for the benefit of saiga antelopes.