University of Oxford
11a Mansfield Rd
OX1 3SZ
UK
Strengthening local capacity to lead evidence-based conservation of saiga in their native habitats in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Collaborators:
Fauna & Flora International, Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan, Saiga Conservation Alliance
Research Overview:
Illegal hunting of Critically Endangered saiga has driven one of the largest declines of any animal species, with poaching largely responsible for a greater than 90% decline in the species over a ten-year period from the 1990s to 2000s.
Over the following two decades despite an array of ongoing threats all five populations of saiga increased, in some areas by seven or nine-fold, thanks to conservation efforts guided by the CMS-CITES saiga MOU and CMS-CITES Joint Work Program.
Strengthened law enforcement across the species’ trade chain by local agencies was critical in combating the poaching and trafficking of saiga and played a significant role in this recovery. To ensure a sustained reduction in poaching, however, measures taken to proactively address the driving forces behind poaching.
This project aims to address constraints that stand in the way of sustained and effective prevention of saiga poaching through locally led in-situ protection and conservation.
Outline of research:
The project looks at existing data to build a picture of what enables saiga poaching, identify knowledge gaps and where more research is most needed. There will be specialist training on social and behavioural research methods in order to build capacity of in-country research teams to analyse data and publish findings.
Objectives:
1) By end 2025, at least 60 local saiga conservationists have the knowledge, capacity, and motivation needed to implement targeted crime prevention measures to mitigate the threat of poaching and trafficking, based on an empirical understanding of key drivers and contexts
2) By end 2025, at least six local ranger/monitoring teams adopt best practice techniques for effective, evidence-based patrolling to reduce poaching of saiga in their native habitats
3) By end 2026, at least three local organizations have demonstrably improved institutional capabilities to effectively design, fund, and manage saiga conservation projects