Photo: Lucas Pereira | Pexels
The saiga tatarica is a species of antelope that has been roaming the steppes in Central Asia since pre-historic times. In an all too familiar story, the saiga has been pushed to the brink of extinction in the modern era, dying off by the thousands from a bacterial ailment brought about by increased temperatures and humidity in the Steppes. They are also hunted for their horns, which are prized in Chinese medicine. But 2019 has seen their numbers more than double in Kazakhstan, a country that has made concerted efforts with international conservation agencies to help the threatened species. The establishment of natural reserves and a prison term of 12 years for poaching are among the measures. State infrastructure and oil and gas development projects are looming threats, but the hardiness and natural resilience of the species, coupled with scientific conservation efforts, are hopeful signs.
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