WCN Wildlife Conservation Network | Saiga Conservation Alliance

The spirit of innovation in conservation

Elena Bykova

Elena Bykova, a native of Uzbekistan, is a founding member of SCA and leader for saiga protection in her country. She has a strong background in field research, as well as a unique ability to foster collaboration among community members and influential leaders. In this young and growing project, Elena and her team are actively making a difference for the saiga antelope and the people of the region.

Confiscated saiga horn, Photo: Alexander Esipov

Threats

The saiga antelope roams the steppes and plains of Central Asia and Russia. It is a relic of Ice Age fauna that included mammoths and saber-tooth cats. Herds of saiga once numbered in the millions, but today only 40,000 survive. In the past ten years, saiga numbers have declined by 96%, the fastest decline ever recorded for a mammal species.

Solutions

The Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA) is a group of scientists and conservationists working in countries throughout the saiga's range to bring the plight of the saiga antelope to the world's attention. In cooperation with local communities and governments, SCA is creating a new understanding of the saiga's role in the environment and finding solutions to secure its future.

Saiga Leaders meet in Kazakhstan

The 2nd annual meeting of the Saiga Conservation Alliance highlighted the growth and successes of the past year: The educational programs and the women's craft programs are expanding and developing; locally-led chapters of saiga friends are forming in key saiga regions; and winners of SCA's Small Grants Program were announced.

Saiga News is printed in multiple languages. Look for the next issue in January 2009.