Kazakhstan to donate 1,500 saiga antelopes to China for wildlife restoration
Cross-border initiative aims to reintroduce endangered species to western China and boost regional biodiversity
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan will donate 1,500 saiga antelopes to China in a major step toward regional wildlife cooperation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced this week. The transfer is part of a broader effort to help restore saiga populations in China’s western regions, where the ancient species once roamed in greater numbers.
According to The Times of Central Asia, the initiative reflects growing recognition of Kazakhstan’s leadership in wildlife conservation. Home to the world’s largest saiga population, the country has seen a dramatic recovery of the species—distinguished by its bulbous nose and nomadic grazing patterns—after years of sharp decline.
Current estimates place Kazakhstan’s saiga population at a record 4.1 million, largely concentrated in the central and western steppes. Conservationists credit this success to intensive tracking and monitoring using satellite telemetry, which has enabled targeted protection of key migration routes and habitats.
Last year, Kazakhstan’s efforts were globally recognized when the Altyn Dala conservation initiative, led by the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), received Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize. The award highlighted the country’s role in bringing the species back from the brink of extinction.
Experts say that relocating a portion of the population to China could boost regional biodiversity while strengthening ecological ties between the two nations. Wildlife biologists are expected to work closely with their Chinese counterparts to ensure the safe transfer and long-term sustainability of the resettled herds.
The saiga antelope, which once roamed across Eurasia, has faced severe threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. While still listed as critically endangered in some regions, its dramatic rebound in Kazakhstan offers hope for broader recovery.
The cross-border initiative represents a new chapter in regional cooperation, one that blends science, diplomacy, and environmental stewardship in the fight to preserve one of Central Asia’s most iconic species.
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