Reproductive Ecology of the Critically Endangered Saiga Antelope

Project Information

Grant agreement ID: INTAS2003-51-3579

Project closed

Start date 1 March 2004

End date 28 February 2007

Funded under

• International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993-

Total cost No data

EU contribution € 240 436,00

Coordinated by

University of London Imperial College London
United Kingdom

Objective

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.

Programme(s)

• IC-INTAS - International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993-

Topic(s)

• OPEN - OPEN Call

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Data not available

Coordinator

University of London Imperial College London

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Exhibition Road ; SW7 2AZ London ; United Kingdom
• Total cost: No data

Participants (6)

Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan Institute of Zoology

Uzbekistan

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Niyasov str. 1 ; 700095 Tashkent
• Total cost: No data

Center for Study and Conservation of Wild Animals in Kalmykia

Russia

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 273 Lenina Street ; 358000 Elista
• Total cost: No data

Kazakh National Agricultural University

Kazakhstan

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 8, Abai Avenue ; 480100 Almaty
• Total cost: No data

Ministry of Education Institute of Zoology

Kazakhstan

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 93, Al-Farabi Avenue ; 480060 Almaty
• Total cost: No data

Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Ecology and Evolution

Russia

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 33 Leninskiy prospect ; 117071 Moscow
• Total cost: No data

University of Oslo

Norway

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: P.O. Box 1050 Blindern ; N-0316 Oslo
• Total cost: No data