Objetivo This project will characterise saiga reproductive behaviour and the influence of human disturbance on reproductive success, and develop a non-invasive, scientifically based programme for monitoring fecundity. Field studies of individual behaviour during the rutting and birth periods will enable us to develop a model of saiga behaviour, and understand the complex interactions between human disturbance and reproductive success. We will carry out the study in two populations; one that appears to reproducing normally despite heavy hunting (Ustiurt) and the other that is displaying aberrant reproductive behaviour (Kalmykia).We will also develop and test a non-invasive method for determining the pregnancy status of individual females, based on hormone levels in faecal samples. Pregnancy rate is a key factor in population dynamics, but so far has only been measured by killing heavily pregnant females, an unacceptable practice given the current conservation status of the species. Testing will be carried out first in controlled conditions using captive saigas. Having demonstrated the potential of the method we will then test it for feasibility in the field. This direct measure of fecundity will be compared to field data on population age structure collected at different points in the year, which can act as an indirect measure of fecundity. This comparison will enable us to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of different fecundity measures and hence recommend a scientifically based monitoring programme.The project meets the objectives of INTAS by carrying out original scientific research in the fields of ecology and nature conservation, that is of direct and urgent policy relevance for the three NIS countries concerned. The research will aim to meet the highest academic standards, and hence to be of wide interest to the international academic community in the fields of behavioural ecology and conservation. The project will have broad relevance beyond saiga antelopes, to policies for the conservation of hunted species in general. Programa(s) IC-INTAS - International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993- Tema(s) OPEN - OPEN Call Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación Data not available Coordinador University of London Imperial College London Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Exhibition Road SW7 2AZ London Reino Unido Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Participantes (6) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan Institute of Zoology Uzbekistán Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Niyasov str. 1 700095 Tashkent Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Center for Study and Conservation of Wild Animals in Kalmykia Rusia Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 273 Lenina Street 358000 Elista Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Kazakh National Agricultural University Kazajistán Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 8, Abai Avenue 480100 Almaty Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Ministry of Education Institute of Zoology Kazajistán Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 93, Al-Farabi Avenue 480060 Almaty Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Ecology and Evolution Rusia Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 33 Leninskiy prospect 117071 Moscow Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos University of Oslo Noruega Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección P.O. Box 1050 Blindern N-0316 Oslo Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
