Tengrinews.kz – Rational use of saiga antelopes could bring Kazakhstan up to three billion dollars, according to calculations shared by Alzhan Shamshidin, Vice-Rector for Science at Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University.
At a meeting of the Mazhilis Committee on Agrarian Issues, Shamshidin explained the components of this estimate.
“We could earn $2.5 billion from the export of saiga meat alone — not to mention the development of hunting culture. According to investors from China, developing hunting could bring in up to $500 million,” the scientist said.
He added that the saiga population could be maintained in closed reserves.
“As our research has shown, all saigas can be kept in enclosed reserves. In the fall, they can be herded, and in the spring, male saigas can be culled for meat and derivatives, which can then be processed,” Shamshidin concluded.