Tengrinews.kz — The saiga population continues to grow in Kazakhstan. According to the latest estimates, the number of these steppe antelopes is nearing 5 million. The Ministry of Ecology announced that population control measures will continue this year, citing the KTK.
Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Zhomart Aliyev stated that, as with last year, saiga numbers will be regulated again this year.
"This year, regulation will be carried out in a similar manner, meaning specialized organizations will be responsible for the task. The details are currently being finalized, as each harvest period requires specialized scientific counting and a scientifically justified quota," he said.
Kazakhstan is home to three saiga populations. The Ural population has exceeded 2.5 million, the Betpak-Dala population has reached nearly 2 million, and the Ustyurt population stands at 120,000. Consequently, the total saiga population is steadily approaching 5 million.
We previously reported that farmers in the Karaganda region are alarmed by a saiga invasion, claiming that thousands of the ungulates are trampling their crops. However, inspectors maintain that saiga numbers in central Kazakhstan are not as high this year and the situation remains under control.
Meanwhile, in the Aktobe region, newborn saiga calves are being fitted with tags featuring built-in GPS sensors. These devices are used to track the migration routes of the steppe antelopes.
