Every May, communities across Karakalpakstan come together to celebrate a remarkable symbol of the steppe: the Saiga antelope.
This year marked a decade of Saiga Day celebrations and the second year since Uzbekistan officially recognised the holiday through Presidential Resolution No. 171, making it a required part of environmental education outreach across protected areas. Making Saiga Day an official part of the school curriculum.
In 2025, the Saiga Day tradition reached new heights — engaging hundreds of students, teachers, rangers, and parents in one of the most vibrant conservation celebrations in Uzbekistan’s history.
The festivities opened with a large online seminar for educators and leaders of Steppe Wildlife Clubs. Teachers received a new curriculum module, “The Network of Life and the Role of Protected Areas,” developed to help students understand food chains, nutrient cycles, and the Saiga’s vital role as a keystone species.
Celebrations took place in seven schools across six towns and villages, including Kyrk-kyz, Elabad, Jaslyk, Karakalpakia, Muynak, and Nukus.
In total, 870 students, 47 teachers, 15 protected area staff, and around 100 parents participated in Saiga Day open lessons. As always, these events combined fun and learning — from eco-games, art and music, and nature quizzes to survival skills, migration challenges, and conservation lessons.
One student reflected on the importance of Saigas with striking clarity: “The Saiga isn’t just a beautiful animal; it’s a keystone species… its disappearance could mark the beginning of the destruction of the entire steppe ecosystem.”
The final and largest Saiga Day event was held at School No. 46 in Nukus, bringing together around 280 students, teachers, administrators, and guests from the Ministry of Environment
Just as in Muynak, rangers from the Saigachy Nature Reserve attended to meet students, share stories from the field, and demonstrate equipment used in monitoring and protecting Saigas.
Children explored vehicles, observation hides, scopes, tents, and other tools of the trade; offering a memorable, hands-on glimpse into the world of wildlife conservation.
Thanks to generous donor support, Saiga Day continues to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders, strengthen local pride, and reinforce a shared commitment to protecting the endangered Saiga antelope.
Together, we are keeping the Saiga and the steppe itself, along with its resilient communities, alive in Uzbekistan.
