Moratorium on saiga culling extended until 2024

Last year the issue of the necessity to cull saigas was raised in the society due to their increased competition with farm animals for pastures and watering places. In addition, farmers complained about the trampling of crops. The Ministry of Ecology decided not to take it to extremes and extended the moratorium on culling, reports World of NAN.

According to the ministry, the country is home to more than 90% of the world's saiga population. Due to the reduced number of saigas (down to 21,000 in 2003) the Government has imposed a moratorium on their use. Thanks to the measures taken for saiga conservation, at present their number has reached 1.3 million saigas (before calving), with an optimal number of 700-800,000 saigas.

In response to farmers' complaints, a scientific study of the saiga population is planned by the Ministry in 2023, as part of a biological feasibility study for saiga population management, which will examine 1) the forecast of the saiga population; 2) clarifying the range and migration routes of saigas; 3) studying the saiga forage base; 4) working out proposals to reduce competition with agriculture.

"In this regard, a moratorium on the use of saiga parts and derivatives throughout the country until 2024 has been extended by the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources for the period of research work, according to the order dated December 28, 2022", - reported in the Ministry of Ecology.

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