Saving Saigas: Projects Around the World
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Steppe Wildlife Clubs
In 2012-2013, Steppe Wildlife Clubs were established thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts and with the assistance of the Saiga Conservation Alliance. Today Steppe Wildlife Clubs have formed across schools in many saiga habitat areas. In the city of Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia, a Steppe Wildlife Club named “Living Heritage” has formed, with the participation of the Centre for Wild Animals of the Republic of Kalmykia, and located at Yashkul’ school. Steppe Wildlife Clubs have been also formed near the ranges of the Betpakdala and Ural saiga populations in Kazakhstan, in the villages of Akkol, Azhibai and Nursai. In the Ustyurt saiga population in Uzbekistan, teachers and local community representatives have also supported the initiative, creating Steppe Wildlife Clubs at school № 54 in Jaslyk village, schools № 56 and 26 in Karakalpakia and school № 37 in Nukus.
Before starting up their clubs, teachers attended a seminar on the principles of ecological education, helping to ensure consistency in planning and action between groups. Madina Abdikarimova, a teacher from school 37 in Nukus, Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, and one of the first supporters of Steppe Wildlife Clubs, says “It is surprising, but our children know so little about saigas! How can they learn about them, when it is easier to find out about Antarctic penguins and African lions from the TV and textbooks than it is to learn about a unique antelope that was found close to their villages and towns until quite recently?”
For generations, Steppe communities had been accustomed to herds of saigas grazing alongside
them. Today if you ask a schoolchild living in a steppe village whether they have seen a saiga, likely the answer will be no. At best, children know saigas from pictures in books or from stories related by elders. Today the saiga is in dire straits, and teachers provide a critical role in educating youth about the role of saiga as a vital part of the arid steppe ecosystem. The Steppe Wildlife Clubs are a key tool in that educational process.
News: Steppe Wildlife Clubs
Saiga Day Celebrations in Russia 2014
There have been 2 saiga days held in Kalmykia this year. One in the town of Yashkul’ and one in the steppe village of Adyk. Since the start of 2014 one Steppe Wildlife Club has been established in Kalmykia, in the village of Adyk, named ‘Bamb Tceteg’ after the areas...
What’s coming up for the SCA?
The next few months will be a busy time for SCA members in the field, as thanks to our donors as we have a multitude of activities lined up. We are very excited about welcoming Rory McCann; conservationist and artist, to rural Uzbekistan where he will be involving...
Saiga Day Wins Environmental Award
Elena receives the award for the Saiga Day programme. On December 20th 2013 the best Uzbek environmental initiatives of the year were announced at the ‘Reduce your environmental impact’ event in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The competition was held by the Committee for...
Day of Migratory Species
In November the SCA held the first ‘Day of Migratory Species’ celebrations in Uzbekistan. A joint effort between the SCA and the new Steppe Wildlife Clubs, the event was held in three remote schools on the Ustiurt plateau and in one in Nukus city. After the success of...
Saiga Day in Uzbekistan 2013
When we launched Saiga Day in Uzbekistan in 2007, 3 schools in 2 villages in the region of Karakalpakstan took part and we were thrilled that 1100 people attended the festivities”, remembers Elena Bykova, SCA member in Uzbekistan. This year the Saiga Day celebrations...
Saiga Day in Uzbekistan 2013
“When we launched Saiga Day in Uzbekistan in 2007, 3 schools in 2 villages in the region of Karakalpakstan took part and we were thrilled that 1100 people attended the festivities”, remembers Elena Bykova, SCA member in Uzbekistan. This year the Saiga Day celebrations...