Kazakhstan conducts saiga census again

Kazakhstan is carrying out a saiga census. Groups of inspectors intend to count the saiga antelopes population in the country. Aerial censuses are now underway in Karagandy and Akmola regions. The works are scheduled to end by May 5, press service of Kazakh Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources reported.

“There are two registration groups of the Okhotzooprom inspectors, including one of Betpakdala population and another one of Oral and Ustyurt populations. Counting includes about 200 flying hours on a helicopter,” the ministry stated.

The last time Kazakhstan conducted such an aerial census of saigas was in 2019.  That time, experts counted 334,400 saigas throughout the country. Last year, the census was cancelled due to quarantine restrictions.

Kazakhstan has imposed a moratorium on the shooting of saigas and the use of their parts and derivatives until 2023. Violation of the prohibition is punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

 

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova