Why Saigas Die: Expert Explains the Causes and Reassures Kazakhstanis
Photo: gov.kz
The saiga deaths being actively discussed on social media may be part of a natural process rather than an emergency, Orda.kz reports.
Doctor of Veterinary Sciences Gaisa Absatirov believes the sharp growth of the saiga population has led to competition for food and water. In such conditions, natural population-control mechanisms begin to take effect. According to him, animal numbers cannot grow indefinitely, as they are limited by available resources and environmental conditions. When those resources become scarce, part of the population, especially young animals, may die.
He cited the example of the fall of 2023, when about 250 saigas died in the West Kazakhstan region. The main cause was identified as lack of food.
According to the expert, the saiga population has grown sharply, and the animals have begun competing more intensely for food and water. When resources are insufficient, natural self-regulation mechanisms take effect, and part of the population, especially young animals, dies.
An additional factor this year has been ticks, which affect both wild and domestic animals. At the same time, research found no signs of infectious diseases in the dead saigas.
The expert stressed that such cases are a manifestation of natural population self-regulation and not necessarily a catastrophe.
Original author: Elvira Ivannikova
Read also:
Latest news
- Kazakhstan’s Credit Rating Upgraded for First Time in a Decade
- While Thousands Lost Power, KEGOC Executives Received Nearly Half a Billion Tenge
- Changi Airport Group May Help Build Astana’s New Airport
- US Again Extends Deadline for Lukoil to Sell Its Assets in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Extradites Business Manager From Russia in 290 Million Tenge Tax Case
- Released Amur Tiger Successfully Hunts in Kazakhstan’s Wild
- Kazakhstan Moves to Develop Critical Minerals as Global Competition Intensifies
- Another Performance by Kazakh Stand-Up Comedian Called Off
- Uzbekistan Begins Preparations for Second Nuclear Power Plant
- Backpack Links Glacier Remains to Man Missing for 19 Years
- 650-Hectare Wildfire Contained in Karaganda Region
- Unusual Wildlife Encounter Captured in Altyn-Emel
- Retired Border Service Dog Sold for $2 at Kazakhstan Auction
- Will Kazakhstan Have Enough Coal This Winter?
- Belarusian Hikers Find Body on Glacier Near Almaty
- Kazakhstan Investigates Spending on 242 Million Tenge Educational Game
- Kazakhstan Makes Caspian Oil Companies Pay for Counterterrorism Deployments
- Kazakhstan Faces Shortage of 245,000 School Places
- Waste Dumping Reported Near Yurt Camps at Lake Zaisan
- Kazakh Oil Rerouted to Novorossiysk as Russia Frees Baltic Export Capacity
