Resurrection Island

Resurrection Island, also known as Vozrozhdenie, lies in the former Aral Sea in western Uzbekistan, where the retreating water transformed an island into part of a vast new desert landscape. Within this rapidly changing environment, a small, isolated saiga population persisted alongside other wildlife, even as pressures from poaching, infrastructure, industrial development, and wider environmental change increased. At the same time, relatively little was known about the biodiversity of the area, creating a clear need for stronger evidence, better protection, and a more joined-up conservation response.

SCA helped build that response from the ground up. Working with Uzbek scientists, local researchers, government, and other partners, we supported field surveys, wildlife monitoring, and research that demonstrated the ecological importance of the landscape and improved understanding of the threats facing it. This evidence became the foundation for practical conservation action, including support for ranger capacity, protected-area planning, and stronger long-term protection for saigas and other wildlife.

As the work developed, Resurrection Island became a powerful example of how different strands of conservation can reinforce one another. Research and monitoring informed protection on the ground. Education and awareness helped raise the profile of the landscape and its wildlife. Community engagement and livelihood initiatives explored ways for local people to benefit from conservation through tourism and small-scale enterprise. At the same time, SCA and its partners worked with government and industry to encourage stronger biodiversity safeguards around development, including training and work on biodiversity mitigation and “no net loss” approaches.

Together, these efforts helped shift Resurrection Island from a little-known saiga site into a much broader conservation programme for the wider Aral Sea landscape. The work contributed to the establishment of Aralkum National Park in 2022, while also strengthening wildlife monitoring, community engagement, conservation awareness, and the consideration of biodiversity in development planning. It shows how research, practical protection, education, community involvement, and partnership can come together to create stronger conditions for saiga conservation.

With thanks to our funders
Darwin Initiative, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Whitley Fund for Nature, and the Beagle Charitable Foundation.

Project partners
University of Oxford, Institute of Zoology of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Natural Resources of Uzbekistan, The Pearl Group, and Uz-Kor Gas.