In addition to mass mortality among saigas from diseases, a big loss in the number of population is caused by poachers exterminating mature antlered bucks. Nowadays new technologies are used alongside traditional methods to protect the saigas. Thus, for 7 years now, nature conservation organizations have been using satellite tracking systems. Steps taken have succeeded in reducing the number of poaching episodes more than twice. Just last year alone, RoK MoA inspectors registered 50 poaching incidents with 1419 antlers confiscated, while over three months of the current year, 6 poaching incidents have already been identified and 122 dead animal bodies confiscated.
In view of the high performance of this protection method, CPC decided to purchase 30 new collars with Sirtrack/Lotek transmitters with the Globalstar and Iridium satellite system that would unlock automatically after 2-2.5 years with an option for reuse. In addition, Iridium Collar G5C 175E (Solar Assist – Sirtrack) is the first-ever collar in the world that partially derives energy for its operation from solar panels.
The bulk part of the work catching animals and installing collars will be carried out by the ACBK public fund, the main operator of the joint program for saving and increasing the population of saigas in the Trans-Caspian Region of Kazakhstan. The project will allow to monitor animal movement for two years, increasing the efficiency of protection and planning the development of a network of specially protected nature territories. Data retrieved will also help study diseases among saigas in all populations.
At a press conference dedicated to this project, Erlan Nysanbayev, RoK Deputy Minister of Agriculture, thanked CPC for its support, saying: "The problem of saving the saigas cannot be solved without a joint effort by the state, society and business, and is a priority and prestigious task".
"Since the first day of its existence, CPC has been consistently implementing large social programs aimed at the development of ecology in Kazakhstan and Russia. Over the years of its charity activities, the consortium has invested about 7.9 billion tenges into the development of Kazakhstan’s regions. We intend to continue cooperation aimed at saving biodiversity and sponsoring similar nature protection actions looking forward", noted Kairgeldy Kabyldin, CPC Deputy General Director, RoK Government Relations.
During the press conference, a memorandum was signed on cooperation in studying, saving and restoring the biological diversity of the Republic of Kazakhstan through exchange of information, knowledge, experience and providing grant support between CPC, RoK MoA and ACBK.