In May 2023, Saiga Day was celebrated across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Mongolia. We’ll focus on two Saiga Day events: one in Muynak district, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, and another in Khukhmorit soum, Gobi-Altai, Mongolia.
Saiga Day was initiated by the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA) as an international effort to raise awareness and promote the conservation of saigas and their habitat, particularly within rural communities. This annual celebration coincides with the birth of the first saiga calves of the year, serving as a symbol of life and unity across the saiga’s range.
Each Saiga Day is connected to a school’s Steppe Wildlife Club, which plays a vital role in educating children about the significance of saigas in the arid steppe ecosystem. In the past, steppe communities had been accustomed to the presence of saiga herds, but today, children’s exposure to saigas is limited to pictures in books or stories told by elders.
Given the current situation of the saiga, teachers play a crucial role in educating youth about the importance of saigas and their conservation. The Steppe Wildlife Clubs serve as valuable educational tools in this process.
Different schools celebrate Saiga Day in their own unique ways, with activities that include:
- sports events
- quizzes covering biological and conservation topics
- songs, dances, and plays about saigas and other wildlife
all created by children and teachers.
Saiga Day serves as a vital platform for raising awareness, fostering community engagement, and inspiring the younger generation to actively participate in saiga conservation efforts.
Saiga Day Uzbekistan: May 12, 2023. Ak Keme children’s camp, Muynak.
During Saiga Day in Uzbekistan, which took place on May 12, 2023, at the Ak Keme children’s camp in Muynak, more than 70 individuals participated, including students and teachers from four secondary schools in Kungirat and Muynak districts.
Notable participants included:
- Mamutova Zina from School 52 in the village of Elabad
- Tanabergenova Gaukhar from School 4 in Muynak
- Bekmanova Sadokat from School 31 in the village of Kyrk-kyz
- Gulzira Nausheva from School 5 in Muynak.
The theme for Saiga Day 2023 was “SOS – Save Our Saiga, Save Our Steppe.” The event was characterised by active participation, with four teams of ten children each competing in various creative and sports competitions. Within their teams, the children drew and defended posters on the topic of “SOS – Save Our Saigas.” Instead of an art competition, sports competitions were organised, focusing on three themes: “Save Saigas from Poachers,” “Aral Water for Saigas,” and the cycling marathon “Saiga 2023.”
The competitive program concluded with a vibrant concert, featuring captivating performances from each team, generating joy and a positive atmosphere for the audience. At the end of the competition, children and teachers received prizes, including diplomas and valuable gifts from the Saiga Conservation Alliance and the SPO Uzkorgaz Chemical. The festival day also featured an eco-performance titled “Susambil: Let’s Create It Together,” presented by a team from the village of Kyrk-kyz, led by Robert Willard. This eco-performance focused on children’s dreams of living in harmony with the environment.
This event was attended by Nida Al-Fulaij – People’s Foundation for the Protection of Endangered Species (PTES),
Nida Al-Fulaij said: “Events such as Saiga Day not only form a willingness to protect nature, but also lay the foundations of morality in a child. We really want to see how the number of saigas in this area grows, the respectful attitude of children and adults towards this animal and the environment grows.”
Saiga Day Mongolia: May 22, 2023. Khukhmorit soum, Gobi-Altai.
In Mongolia, Saiga Day was celebrated on May 22, 2023, in Khukhmorit soum, Gobi-Altai. The event, supported by Selenge Gantumur of WWF-Mongolia, attracted more than 500 participants, including over 300 school children. Various activities were organised, engaging different stakeholders. Notably, young individuals aged 18 to 30 led a tree-planting initiative aimed at establishing a tree grove for the saiga population in the Gobi-Altai province. These enthusiastic participants took on the responsibility of nurturing and watering the planted trees, with the expectation of sharing the outcomes in the following year.
As part of the celebration, a field trip was organised to introduce children to the saiga’s habitat. The excursion involved 100 children accompanied by rangers who provided detailed information about saigas. The rangers facilitated an immersive experience, allowing the children to observe the work of a ranger, including monitoring saigas, observing habitat changes influenced by livestock movements, and utilising GPS technology.
During the trip, the children had the opportunity to witness and count approximately 1,200 saigas—an experience that left a lasting impression on them.
Additionally, a drawing competition called “Saiga and Spring” was held, attracting nearly 100 participants. The jury evaluated the drawings, and eight children were recognized as winners in different age categories.
