Kazakhstan Culls 196,000 Saiga Antelopes to Protect Farmland and Balance Ecosystems

Kazakhstan has completed a major effort to regulate its saiga antelope population after large herds migrated into farming areas. Over 196,000 animals were removed from the wild between July and December last year. The operation followed reports of crop damage caused by the growing herds.

The saigas, now concentrated in five districts of the Kyzylorda Region, had moved from the Ulytau Region in search of food and shelter from deep snow.

The migration began in late December when thousands of saigas left the Koskol rural district of Ulytau. They crossed several stations along the Beineu-Zhezkazgan railway before settling in the Aral, Kazaly, Karmakshy, Zhalagash, and Syrdarya districts. Their movement was driven by heavy snow and limited food supplies in their original habitat.

Kazakhstan is currently home to three distinct saiga populations, totalling nearly 4 million animals. The Ural population stands at 2.3 million, the Betpak-Dala at 1.6 million, and the Ustyurt at 78,000. In the Syrdarya area alone, around 60,000 to 65,000 saigas have gathered, with over 30,000 in the Aral district.

Last year's regulation measures came after no deliberate culling took place in 2023. The species had recovered naturally, leading to its IUCN status improving from critically endangered to near threatened. However, the growing numbers led to conflicts with farmers, prompting authorities to act.

The meat from the removed animals was sent to processing plants, while their horns were stored for potential pharmaceutical use. Despite the regulated removals, illegal hunting remains a crime. In 2023, 17 criminal violations were recorded, and two poachers were detained this year.

The operation has reduced pressure on crops in key farming districts. With nearly 200,000 saigas removed, authorities aim to balance conservation with agricultural needs. Illegal hunting enforcement continues as part of broader efforts to protect the species.