About saigas
Why saigas matter
Saigas help shape the ecosystems of the Eurasian steppe and hold a special place in its cultural heritage. Discover why protecting them matters for both wildlife and people.
For thousands of years, saigas have moved across the Eurasian steppe, grazing its vegetation and forming part of the lives and traditions of the people who share these landscapes. Their importance extends beyond the species itself, connecting the health of steppe ecosystems with a rich cultural heritage.
Photo: Babette FourieEcological significance
Keeping the steppe in balance
Saigas are wide-ranging grazers. As they move across the steppe, they consume vegetation and return nutrients to the soil, influencing plant communities and the wider ecosystem.
Their grazing helps prevent dead vegetation from accumulating, while their movements distribute nutrients across large areas. Saigas also provide food for predators and scavengers, including wolves and birds of prey.
The size and movements of saiga herds mean their ecological influence can extend well beyond any single grazing area. Maintaining healthy populations helps preserve this important part of the steppe’s natural processes.
Photo: Gilev, Karenina, BerezinaCultural significance
A symbol of the steppe
Saigas have shared the Eurasian steppe with people since the Ice Age. For generations, their seasonal movements have been part of life in a region shaped by nomadic and pastoral traditions.
Historically, saigas provided meat for communities across their range. Their significance extends beyond this practical role: the species is closely associated with the steppe and forms part of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Today, SCA initiatives such as Saiga Day and Steppe Wildlife Clubs help carry that connection forward, giving younger generations opportunities to discover saigas and learn about the wildlife and heritage of the steppe.
Why their future matters
Protecting saigas means preserving more than an extraordinary species. It means maintaining their ecological role and ensuring that future generations can continue to experience an animal so closely connected with the Eurasian steppe.
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