Saiga (Saiga tatarica).

Saiga (Saiga tatarica) are nomadic herding antelope whose numbers have dropped > 95%, from > 1,000,000 to < 50,000 in under two decades; this decline has been attributed to overexploitation, unfavourable climate, and habitat degradation. Saiga are categorized as Critically Endangered by IUCN and listed within Appendix I of both CITES and CMS.

Tracking marked animals.

There are two distinct subspecies: S. t. tatarica, distributed in the pre-Caspian region including Kazakhstan and Russia, and S. t. mongolica, distributed in western Mongolia. Only two subpopulations remain within Mongolia, totalling approximately 5,000 individuals. Survival and mortality rates are important to understanding mechanisms that affect the dynamics of a wildlife population and vital to effectively managing that population and its habitat. Of many questions relevant to saiga conservation, we still do not know on average what proportion of females give birth each year, what proportion of calves survive, or causes of juvenile mortality. Identifying causes of mortality and estimating survival rates of saiga calves can be important for effective management of Mongolian populations since there are only a few thousand remaining in the wild. Yet, there is limited data on their survival and sources of mortalities.

Thus, my project focuses on obtaining survival estimates of calves, which will lead to a better understanding of whether this age cohort drives population dynamics. This will guide efforts of wildlife managers and decision makers to reduce mortality of calves, and the information will build a more solid foundation for long-term research that will guide strategies for conserving Mongolian saiga. Major goals of the proposed project are:

1) Estimate calf survival by determining the proportion of newborn animals that survive,

2) Evaluate cause-specific mortality of calves, including predation, possible role of litter size, birth weight, birth date, and habitat choice on subsequent survival. Our field research will focus on saiga population within and beyond of Sharga Nature Reserve, western Mongolia.