25 Nov 2005
Wildlife conference commits to Central Asian saiga antelope conservation
Nairobi, Kenya – A Memorandum of Understanding for the conservation and management
of the Saiga antelope was concluded today at the 8th meeting of the conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The MOU and associated
action plan for the species covers the Central Asian populations in Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia.
Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica tatarica) populations numbered over one million
as recently as the early 1990s, but have now been reduced to no more than 40,000.
They are now recognized as endangered by the IUCN (World Conservation Union).
Their drastic decline is due to poaching for illegal trade in horns (for Asian
medicine markets), uncontrolled hunting for meat, habitat destruction and obstacles
to migration. The primary threat is overhunting.
The agreement and action plan were agreed to by Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan and formally signed by Turkmenistan’s Minister of Nature Protection,
as well as by the Mongolian Minister of Environment, IUCN, the CMS Secretariat
and WWF.
“This agreement and action plan will effectively help to protect the Saiga,"
said CMS Executive Secretary Robert Hepworth.
"Restoring its habitat is a first step to increase its scattered populations.
Collaboration between regional and international organisations, government authorities,
local communities and our NGO partners is essential to turn today’s agreement
into a real recovery in Saiga population.”
The action plan now commits the governments and cooperating organizations to
the recovery of the species’ populations through Central Asia. An alliance of
signatory states, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora), CMS, and non-governmental organizations including
WWF, and local communities will work together on a number of conservation efforts,
including setting up a monitoring programme. These animals undertake seasonal
migrations from summer pastures in steppe grassland to winter pastures in desert
areas. A regional conservation plan and strategy to be implemented at an international
level will now enhance transboundary cooperation and exchange of information.
The action plan commits governments and partners to enhance enforcement and
anti-poaching efforts, along with public education. and work with local communities
to reduce poaching and illegal trade. Restoring the Saiga’s habitat throughout
its entire range is also a priority of the Action Plan agreed by the governments,
including establishing new protected areas. During their seasonal migrations
they face serious obstacles such as irrigation channels and roads.
“Urgent transboundary cooperation is needed to ensure the conservation of this
species," said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's Global Species Programme.
"We applaud the action of governments to work together to benefit both
the Saiga antelope and local communities who share its habitat.”
For more Information:
Joanna Benn, Communications Manager
WWF Global Species Programme
E-mail: jbenn@wwfspecies.org
Eight conference of the parties to the convention on
migratory species: 20-25 november 2005
The eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention on the Conservation
of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) convenes from 20-25 November 2005,
in Nairobi, Kenya, with the theme “On the Move to 2010.” CMS COP-8 was preceded
by the 13th meeting of the CMS Scientific Council, held from 16-18 November,
and the 29th meeting of the CMS Standing Committee, held on 20 November.
During the week, COP-8 will address the: review of CMS implementation; 2010
biodiversity target; measures to improve the conservation status of species
listed in Appendix I, including projects on the Sahelo-Saharan antelope and
the Siberian crane, and Appendix II; proposals for amendments to Appendices
I and II; CMS Strategic Plan for 2006-2011; CMS Information Management Plan;
and financial and administrative arrangements. COP-8 is also expected to finalize
a new Agreement on the Asian Houbara bustard, and Memoranda of Understanding
on the West African elephant and the Saiga antelope.
The information shown below has been received from IFAW Moscow office and
Earth Negotiations Bulletin:
An MOU on Saiga antelope was signed yesterday. Here’s the excerpt from the
Earth Negotiations Bulletin:
“The plenary convened in the morning for the signing ceremony of the MOU on
the Saiga antelope. Following signing by Turkmenistan and CMS Executive
Secretary Robert Hepworth, the Secretariat explained that Uzbekistan will
sign the MOU at a later stage. Mongolia, the International Council for Game
and Wildlife Conservation, IUCN and WWF International also signed the MOU.”
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