Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Strengthen Cooperation on Saiga Antelope Conservation and Reintroduction
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are set to formalize their collaboration on saiga antelope conservation by signing a memorandum of understanding, which includes plans for the reintroduction of the species into Uzbekistan’s territory, the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change announced on July 22.
The agreement encompasses a wide array of joint initiatives aimed at preserving and restoring saiga populations. Key actions include establishing transboundary protected areas and migration corridors, rehabilitating critical pastures, water bodies, and ecosystems, and developing a comprehensive saiga reintroduction program. Furthermore, the parties will cooperate in scientific research, population monitoring, and data exchange.
The saiga antelope, a rare and endangered species, historically inhabited expansive regions across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and southern Russia. Currently, the species is listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan and protected under international agreements including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). These listings highlight the saiga’s critical vulnerability and emphasize the necessity of coordinated international conservation efforts.
Photo credit: gov.uz
