Historical range, extirpation and prospects for reintroduction of saigas in China

Shaopeng Cui,Jing Chen,Chunwang Li,E J Milner-Gulland,Hongjun Chu,Navinder J Singh,Zhigang Jiang

doi:10.1038/srep44200

Abstract

An assessment of historical distribution patterns and potential reintroduction sites is important for reducing the risk of reintroduction failure of endangered species. The saiga antelope, Saiga tatarica, was extirpated in the mid-20th century in China. A captive population was established in the Wuwei Endangered Wildlife Breeding Centre (WEWBC) in the 1980s. Reintroduction is planned, but so far, no action has been taken. In this study, we delineated the historical distribution and potential reintroduction areas of saigas in China, using a literature review, interviews and predictive modelling. Results suggest that most of the seasonally suitable areas are non-overlapping, and China may have been a peripheral part of the main saiga range. WEWBC is not an ideal reintroduction site due to its low habitat suitability. Furthermore, we infer that two different movement patterns existed historically (regular migration and nomadic wandering). Our results demonstrate the challenges of restoring a free-ranging, self-sustaining saiga population in China. We recommend the setting up of additional breeding centres in protected areas within the potential saiga range in Xinjiang, and the development of a national action plan to provide a framework for the future recovery of the species.

Highlights

China started to reintroduce saiga in the 1980s, when the former Ministry of Forestry ( State Forestry Administration) established the Wuwei Endangered Wildlife Breeding Centre (WEWBC, called Gansu Endangered Animal Protection Centre) in 1987
Prior to 1950, 13 records were identified in northwest China and saigas covered a wide geographical range, from the border areas between China and Kazakhstan, through the Junggar and Turpan-Hami Basins, to the northern Beishan Mountains and western Inner Mongolia
Saiga populations were generally thought to be distributed in the Junggar Basin, but other historical ranges were less well recorded[19,26]

Summary

Introduction

China started to reintroduce saiga in the 1980s, when the former Ministry of Forestry ( State Forestry Administration) established the Wuwei Endangered Wildlife Breeding Centre (WEWBC, called Gansu Endangered Animal Protection Centre) in 1987. There is a question about the appropriateness of the genetic composition of the founder population for wild release, since the Kalmykian population is the furthest one from China, the genetic heritage of the zoo-origin animals is unclear, and there are genetic differences between saiga populations across the range[9,10] It remains controversial which subspecies of saiga was historically distributed in China. We are not aware of any study that has determined how historical saiga populations moved seasonally between China and neighbouring countries and whether the current habitat conditions can sustain reintroduced populations. This is vital information for any reintroduction programme. We discuss the challenges concerning the persistence of captive and wild saiga populations in China

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion