Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Agree on Joint Measures to Conserve Saiga Antelopes

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan intend to join forces to protect saiga antelopes, restore their natural habitats, and preserve migration routes between the two countries. Their cooperation will include joint monitoring of the animals, efforts to combat poaching, and the preparation of a program to return saigas to areas within their historical range. This was reported by inbusiness.kz, citing Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

The cooperation is based on a memorandum of understanding signed by Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Industry and Construction, Kuandyk Kazhkenov, and the Chairman of Uzbekistan's National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov.

The document establishes the main areas of cooperation between the two countries aimed at the long-term conservation of the saiga population, one of the characteristic wildlife species of Central Asia's steppes.

As Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology explained, the migration patterns of saigas require a coordinated approach to their protection. The animals can cross national borders, meaning that effective population conservation depends on continuous cooperation and the exchange of relevant information between the responsible government agencies.

One of the priorities will be organizing joint monitoring of saiga population numbers, migration movements, and health. To achieve these objectives, the two countries plan to exchange scientific research findings, use satellite tracking systems, and improve veterinary control mechanisms.

The use of modern technologies will enable specialists to study the animals' movement routes in greater detail, monitor changes in the population's condition, and identify potential threats in a timely manner.

Another area of cooperation concerns restoring saiga populations in territories where they historically lived. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan intend to develop a special reintroduction program that will include coordinated measures to relocate animals and restore the necessary natural conditions.

In particular, work is planned to restore natural pastures and water bodies that are important for the survival of saigas. These measures are intended to create suitable conditions for the animals to return to their former habitats.

A significant part of the joint effort will focus on protecting saigas from illegal hunting and trade. The two countries plan to strengthen anti-poaching measures, organize joint environmental protection patrols, and develop cooperation between the relevant authorities.

In addition, the memorandum provides for the development of transboundary specially protected natural areas and the preservation of migration corridors that allow animals to move between neighboring countries.

The cooperation will also extend to scientific research. Specialists from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will be able to exchange professional experience and scientific data, participate in joint studies, and involve international organizations in implementing conservation initiatives.

The Ministry of Ecology emphasized that the conservation of the saiga population is directly linked to the condition of its natural habitat. For the animals to survive sustainably, it is necessary to ensure access to food resources and water sources, preserve steppe ecosystems, and maintain conditions for unrestricted migration.

Maintaining natural connections between territories is particularly important because migration is an essential part of the saiga's life cycle. Therefore, conservation measures must take into account not only the number of animals but also the condition of pastures, water bodies, and migration routes.

The signing of the memorandum establishes a foundation for further coordination between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in saiga conservation. The implementation of the planned measures will be aimed at preserving the population, protecting biodiversity, and developing environmental cooperation between the countries of Central Asia.