The saiga antelope, Saiga tatarica, is a unique and ancient ungulate species, instantly recognizable by its distinctive, oversized nose. These animals have roamed the Eurasian steppes for millennia, becoming an iconic symbol of the Central Asian grasslands.
Distinctive Features and Adaptations
The most striking characteristic of the saiga antelope is its large, flexible, proboscis-like nose. This nasal structure is a specialized adaptation to its extreme environment. The nose functions as a natural air filter, containing internal structures that trap dust and other particulates, particularly during dusty summer months and extensive migrations.
Beyond filtration, the saiga’s nose plays a role in thermal regulation. In summer heat, the extensive surface area inside the nose helps to cool the inhaled air before it enters the lungs, preventing heatstroke. Conversely, during cold winter conditions, the nasal passages warm the cold air, protecting the lungs and maintaining body temperature.
Saigas are 0.6 to 0.8 meters tall at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 50 kilograms, with males typically larger than females. Males possess long horns that can reach 55 centimeters in length and feature 12 to 20 rings, while females do not have horns. Their coat changes seasonally for insulation, from lighter in summer to thick, grayish-brown in winter.
Life in the Steppe
Saiga antelopes inhabit the dry, open steppes and semi-deserts of Central Asia, found in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. They are nomadic herbivores, grazing on grasses, herbs, lichens, and shrubs, including some plants poisonous to other animals. Their ability to consume a wide range of vegetation allows them to thrive in areas with minimal plant diversity.
These animals are known for their long-distance migrations, covering up to 120 kilometers daily across the steppes. These movements allow them to escape calamities like snowstorms and droughts and find suitable pastures. Saigas are social, forming large herds of up to 1,000 animals, especially during migration and rutting seasons.
During the mating season, which begins in November, males compete to establish harems, typically consisting of 5 to 10 females, though occasionally up to 50. Females usually give birth to twins in the spring, often in large calving aggregations, though first-time mothers may only have one calf.
Facing Extinction: Threats to Saigas
Saiga populations have experienced declines due to human-induced pressures and natural events. Poaching for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine, has historically been a threat, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. This illegal hunting depleted herds in Kazakhstan and Russia.
Habitat loss and fragmentation also pose challenges. Human development, including agriculture, the construction of roads, railways, and fences, and new settlements, have shrunk and divided the saiga’s natural range. These physical barriers interfere with their long-distance migrations, limiting access to water resources and traditional winter and summer pastures.
Mass die-offs from disease outbreaks have caused impacts on saiga populations. In May 2015, approximately 200,000 saiga antelopes died in central Kazakhstan within three weeks. This event, which wiped out over 60% of the global saiga population, was attributed to hemorrhagic septicemia caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida serotype B.
Scientists believe environmental factors, increased humidity and elevated air temperatures, triggered the proliferation of this bacterium, likely already present harmlessly in the animals’ tonsils. Similar smaller in scale mortality events have occurred in previous decades, including in the 1980s. In 2017, a subspecies in Mongolia also suffered losses due to a viral infection that spilled over from livestock.
Protecting a Unique Species
Conservation efforts are underway to protect saigas and their steppe habitats. International and local initiatives include anti-poaching measures and anti-smuggling efforts to combat the illegal trade. These actions have been supported by organizations such as the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The establishment and expansion of protected areas are also important to saiga conservation. The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, for example, works across millions of hectares of steppe ecosystems in Kazakhstan to create and expand these safe havens. This initiative also focuses on restoring threatened species’ populations and addressing wildlife trafficking.
Scientific research helps understand saiga diseases and population dynamics, focusing on mass mortality triggers to inform prevention strategies. The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) coordinates international efforts, uniting governments and organizations across the saiga range through an International Work Programme and Action Plan. These collaborative efforts have led to a rebound in saiga numbers, with populations recovering to over 2.8 million in 2024, leading to the species being reclassified from “Critically Endangered” to “Near Threatened” by the IUCN in December 2023.