Kazakhstan will transfer 1,500 saigas to China to help restore the species’ population in the western regions of the People’s Republic of China. The announcement came during a bilateral meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Xi expressed gratitude for the initiative, reaffirming China’s commitment to restoring the population of this antelope species.
Returning to Their Historical Habitat
On June 18, Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nysanbayev elaborated on the decision, explaining that the move is part of an effort to support the long-term sustainability of the species by reintroducing it to its historical range.
“Kazakhstan is currently home to 99% of the world’s saiga population. Since 2003, when only 2,500 individuals remained, we have grown the population to more than five million,” Nysanbayev said.
The minister emphasized that the transfer will proceed only after a joint scientific assessment by Kazakh and Chinese experts, who will evaluate potential resettlement zones, available food sources, and optimal transport methods.
When asked whether the move aimed to reduce saiga numbers in response to farmers’ complaints, Nysanbayev dismissed the idea.
“Can 1,500 animals really affect the overall population or solve issues like agricultural damage? This is absolutely irrelevant,” he stated.
Nysanbayev also underscored the importance of international cooperation in biodiversity conservation.
“The saiga population has historically extended beyond Kazakhstan, into Mongolia, China, Russia, and Turkmenistan,” he added.
Ongoing Tensions Between Wildlife and Agriculture
Despite conservation successes, conflicts between saigas and agricultural interests remain a serious concern.
In 2022, farmers in the West Kazakhstan and Akmola regions reported significant crop losses and property damage caused by saigas, with some even calling for a state of emergency to be declared in the West Kazakhstan Region.
In response to growing tensions, the government included saigas in the list of species subject to regulation in late 2023. Authorities initially planned to capture up to 200,000 animals, but logistical challenges led to the approval of a limited culling. This shift enabled meat-processing plants to begin producing canned saiga meat.
However, in February 2024, the Ministry of Ecology suspended population control measures following President Tokayev’s public call to protect this iconic symbol of the Kazakh steppe.
Nevertheless, in March 2025, during a meeting of the National Kurultai, President Tokayev acknowledged the strain on agriculture and raised concerns about potential epizootic risks and broader ecological pressures.
“Agriculture is suffering. There are risks of a worsening epizootic situation. Overall, the burden on the ecosystem has increased,” Tokayev said.
Minister Nysanbayev later confirmed that discussions about potential future regulation are ongoing. “It will take time for science to thoroughly study the situation again,” he said.
Options under consideration include culling through corrals or selective shooting, with final decisions to be guided by scientific recommendations.
Saiga Migration Threatens Saratov Farmers’ Livelihoods
In Russia, meanwhile, farmers and agricultural leaders in the Novouzensky district of the Saratov region have appealed to President Putin for help, citing a severe threat to their livelihoods from saigas migrating from the Kazakh steppes. They claim the influx of these animals has made farming, livestock raising, and forage harvesting almost impossible, putting their enterprises at risk. Novaya Gazeta reports that while only about 100 saigas typically reside in the region, this spring saw an unprecedented migration of around a million saigas, according to the local authorities.
