Saiga Conservation Alliance

The Saiga Conservation Alliance SCA is a network of researchers and conservationists working to study and protect the critically endangered Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica) and their habitat. The Saiga are often seen a major flagship species of the Central Asian and pre-Caspian steppes. In the last ten years, saiga populations have declined by 96%, which is the fastest decline ever recorded for a mammal species.[1] Saiga Conservation Alliance is partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Network[2]

FoundedInformally 1990s, Formally September 2006
TypeNon-profit Organization
FocusSaiga Conservation
Location
Area served
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and Turkmenistan
Key people
  • E.J. Milner-Gulland, (Trustee Chair)
  • Elena Bykova, (Executive Secretary)
  • David Mallon, (Trustee)
  • Elisabeth Whitebread, (Trustee)
Websitesaiga-conservation.org

History

In September 2006, the organization was formally founded.

In June 2015, E.J. Milner-Gulland said, 'Anti-poaching needs to be a top priority for the Russian and Kazakh governments.'[3]

Programs
Elena Bykova, presenting the Saiga at the 2012 annual Wildlife Conservation Network Expo shown above.

CMS Project Monitoring

SCA was contracted by the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS)to monitor progress of saiga conservation. Part of this projects involves maintaining a database of saiga experts and conservationist as well as compiling data and disseminating it world-wide.

Russia

The Russian branch of SCA is the Centre for Wild Animals in Kalmykia. They are the world's only successful captive breeding program for saigas. Other programs include working with local villages and poor households which agree to help conserve saigas.[4]

Kazakhstan

The Kazakhstan branch of SCA Monitors saiga populations to determine conservation efficacy. Surveys with locals monitors poaching activities and the reasons behind them.[5]

Uzbekistan

The Uzbekistan branch conducts research into what the problems are of saiga conservation and negotiates plans for action between the government and local people.[6]

Bulletin

A report about saiga conservation and news is published in six languages twice-yearly.

Small Grants Program

Annual small grants competition to help build grassroots saiga conservation projects.[7]

Education

Every year SCA conservationists attend the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo to meet other conservationists and share methodology. They also hold presentations to educate and update the public and supporters.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Saiga Conservation Alliance". Wildlife Conservation Network.
  2. "Saiga Conservation Alliance". Wildlife Conservation Network.
  3. Nicholls, Henry. "134,000 saiga antelope dead in two weeks. What is the probable cause?". Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. "The Saiga Conservation Alliance Small Grants Programme". Edge of Existence.
  5. "Participatory Monitoring of Saiga Population Ecology, Russia". Edge of Existence.
  6. "Creation of local saiga management associations in Uzbekistan". Edge of Existence.
  7. "CIC Renews its Commitment to Support Saiga Conservation". International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation.
  8. "2012 Wildlife Conservation Network Expo" (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Network.
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