Posted on 01/07/2025 11:27:54 AM PST by Red Badger
An ambitious ecosystem restoration project has helped saiga bounce back from 40,000 to 2.8 million in the last 20 years.
Image credit: Yakov Oskanov / Shutterstock.com
In Kazakhstan lives an antelope that wouldn’t look out of place on the set of Star Wars. Saiga and their gloriously wibbly noses are one of the planet’s most remarkable species, but poaching and mass die off events saw their numbers crash. In 2024, however, the Earthshot Prize awarded an ecosystem restoration effort that’s enabled the saiga antelope population to recover from 40,000 to 2.8 million in the last 20 years.
As part of the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are celebrating their international efforts to restore 75 million hectares of grassland, wetland, and desert in Kazakhstan, which is home to the once Critically Endangered antelope. As a keystone species, saiga are pivotal in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, and one that’s also relied upon by steppe eagles, sociable lapwings, kulan (wild ass), and the Przewalski’s horse, demonstrating there’s a lot more to these antelope than their alien-like proboscis.
It's great news for big-nosed wildlife, and just one of five stories from 2024 that prove we can still be hopeful about the future of our non-human neighbors.
“This year has secured major nature wins – from the historic sandeel fishing closure to saving species like Saiga antelope from extinction – the RSPB has demonstrated what can be achieved through vital conservation efforts,” said RSPB Chief Executive, Beccy Speight, in a statement emailed to IFLScience.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the passionate help from our members, volunteers and supporters. Whilst nature still faces many challenges, the RSPB is committed to finding, implementing and championing solutions that will give hope to our precious wildlife and wild spaces for many years to come.”
I guess it’s just what you’re raised on. And what era or culture you’re from. I’ve seen old timers eat every last bit of a chicken leg, except for the bone itself, including eating the cartilage at the end of the bone. Of course, that’s gristle. My father in law was a full blood Loyal Shawnee who grew up dirt poor. He grew up eating anything that was available.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.