Methodological approaches to keeping saigas in winter: Experience of semi-fenced breeding

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Innovation Technology Faculty, NAO "Karaganda Technical University named after Abylkas Saginov", Karaganda, Kazakhstan

2 Higher School of Natural Sciences, Pavlodar Pedagogical University named after Alkey Margulan, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

3 Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Toraighyrov University, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

4 State Institution "Innovative Center for Education Development" of the Department of Education of Pavlodar Region, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2025.9209

Abstract

Saiga wintering in semi-confined conditions is one of the main conservation problems for this species in Kazakh steppes. The present research was designed and conducted in order to investigate the comparison between three various management nutritional strategies on the saigas' survival, health, and behavior within two consecutive winter seasons. A total of 120 saigas were divided into three various groups under full, semi-supplementary, and low nutritional management. Survival rates, changes in body weight, activity patterns in a day, social behavior, and shelter use were recorded and analyzed with conventional techniques. The results revealed that the fully nourished survived at a rate of 95%, while the minimally nourished had the survival index drop to 82.5%. The mean body weight losses in the fully nourished, semi-supplementary, and minimal groups were 2.2%, 7.8%, and 16.3%, respectively. Behaviorally, foraging time in the minimally supported group was 70% longer, resulting in a significant reduction of social interaction and shelter use. Moreover, a significant increase of daily distance traveled at temperatures less than or equal to -15 °C was observed in this group. The results of this study categorically confirm that a dynamic and adequate nutrition regime not only ensures population survival, but also, through a reduction in metabolic and behavioral stresses, ensures the maintenance of natural life rhythms and the population's resistance to winter stress. Such findings can be applied as a proper scientific basis for developing management protocols of semi-intensive saiga breeding and rehabilitation camps throughout Kazakhstan.
 

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 4
October 2025
Pages 919-925

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