Saiga Research Articles

Гнездовые группировки орлов на ключевой орнитологической территории «Чинк Донызтау» в 2022 году

Гнездовые группировки орлов на ключевой орнитологической территории «Чинк Донызтау» в 2022 году

Saiga (Saiga tatarica) conservation strategy in Kazakhstan.

The saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is a living symbol of the Eurasian steppes. Even in the recent past, its total number exceeded a million heads. As a commercial species, it was a source of inexpensive meat and skins for suede. The natural world range of saiga in Eurasia covers the steppe and desert ecosystems of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, as well as Kalmykia and the Astrakhan region in the Russian Federation. It is divided into two subspecies: (Saiga tatarica tatarica) the nominal subspecies and (S.t.mongolica) the Mongolian saiga, which is found only in Mongolia. In 2002, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (UICN) classified saiga as CR-critically endangered. The purpose of this work is to analyze the saiga population dynamics on the territory of Kazakhstan and characterize possible anthropogenic, genetic and environmental factors affecting their numbers, with the rationale for approaches to conserving these animals' population in Kazakhstan. The article highlights the saiga dynamics of number and distribution over the past decade, the reasons for decline in its number, also discusses specific measures to conserve the saiga in modern conditions, because the current critical situation with saiga in Kazakhstan requires implementing a strategy for its conservation as a species of mammals fauna of the republic.

Биоценотические связи сайгаков с крупными хищными птицами

Conservation of biodiversity has recently become the most urgent task due to global anthropogenic transformation of the environment. Therefore, more and more attention is being paid to the role of species in biogeocenosis, their biocoenotic relationships, and the assessment of ongoing changes. Due to the unprecedented growth of the Ural Saiga (Saiga tatarica) population, the study of ecology, behavior, and biocenotic relationships as factors affecting the structure of the ecosystem and, in particular, large birds of prey has become increasingly important. The saiga population in West Kazakhstan Region in 2023 is estimated at 1.13 million individuals, which is highly concentrated in Zhanibek (8,200 km2), Bokeyordinsky (19,214 km2), and Kaztalovsky (18,600 km2) districts of the region. And here we should pay attention to the fact that with anthropogenic changes in the habitat (construction of roads, canals, gas and oil pipelines, etc.), macroevolutionary changes in saiga behavior have begun to occur – saigas are no longer the nomadic species they were 100 years ago, they no longer nomade over great distances, and are becoming more sedentary. Our observations show that saigas do not travel more than 100 km and stay mainly around sors (dried up salt lakes). The next fact is that from late November to early December, saigas start their rut. As a result of extreme exhaustion during the rut, up to 96% of males die. The huge biomass accumulates in a relatively small area. This cannot cause the population of predators and scavengers to grow. The growth of predatory mammals is limited by the availability of accessible drinking water, so we did not observe an increase in the population of wolves, but the number of jackals and steppe cats increased. The growth of jackals is possible not only due to the availability of food in the autumnwinter period, but also due to increased hunting pressure in neighboring areas of the Russian Federation. The growth of the steppe cat (which is most abundant in the Bokeyordinsky district) may be due to the growth of saigas, as it has been reported that saiga remains have been found in the cat's stomach. The above-mentioned districts of West Kazakhstan Region have the highest density of large birds of prey. There are both direct and indirect biocoenotic links between saigas and large birds of prey – Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), and Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). Studies, both our own and those of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), show a high density of the breeding of Steppe Eagles in West Kazakhstan Region (WKR) in areas where saigas congregate, especially in the Kaztalovsky District, while in other areas of the region their numbers are very low. Its direct and indirect biocenotic relationship with saigas can be traced here: – Direct. All the nests we examined contained saiga remains. We have never seen Steppe Eagles hunting saigas, most likely picking up fallen or sick individuals, as well as the afterbirths of saiga calves. We saw a Steppe Eagle eating a saiga (most likely it was hit by a car, as its ribs were broken), the peritoneum was opened, internal organs were lying separately, the eagle did not eat them. It mostly pecked meat from the thighs of the hind legs. The carcass was fresh, blood had not coagulated yet. In the area of Araltobe Sor on 20/08/2020 we observed a large pre-migration concentration of the Steppe Eagle of about 300 individuals. – Indirect. In areas where saigas graze there is a high number of the Little Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus pygmaeus), the main food object of the Steppe Eagle. By regulating the height of grass stands, favorable conditions for the Little Ground Squirrel are created. In other areas of the region, the Little Ground Squirrel has become rare. The White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is abundant during winter migration in areas where saigas congregate: On November 15, 2021, we counted 43 individuals following a herd of saigas on the 100 km Kaztalovka – Khan Ordasy road route. In recent years, we have recorded annual visitations of the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the region. We attribute this to the growth of the saiga population. In 2019, we recorded an encounter of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture in the vicinity of Saihin settlement, which is the first record for the last 50 years. Analyzing all of the above, we can conclude that the growth of saiga population positively affects the dynamics of population growth of large birds of prey in the West Kazakhstan Region.

Foot-and mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants – the role of wildlife in the epidemiology and control of diseases

Foot-and mouth disease (FMD) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) are highly contagious and an economically devastating diseases, currently endemic to the African and Asian continents. The aim of this paper was to present the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of both diseases. There are more than 100 species of wild, feral, laboratory, or domesticated animals that have been infected naturally or experimentally with FMD or PPR viruses. Experimental infections of several African wild ruminants can result in clinical FMD. African buffalo represents the best known FMD wild host reservoir in Sub-Saharan Africa. North American mule deer were found susceptible to FMDV infection with significant mortality. Other wild ruminants such as impala can also contribute to FMDV maintenance. In Europe several deer species and the Eurasian wild boar are susceptible to FMDV. PPRV has been reported to have infected some wildlife, such as African buffalo, saiga antelope, dorcas gazelles, gemsbok, Nubian ibex and some other ungulate species. The role of wildlife in FMD and PPR epidemiology may concern wildlife as indicators, victims, bridge hosts or maintenance hosts for both diseases. In addition, they are occasionally victims of disease outbreaks, and they are often relevant for disease management as either bridge or maintenance hosts. Wildlife deserves to become a key component of future integrated surveillance and disease control strategies in an ever-changing world. However, it must be stated that efforts to control FMD and PPR in wildlife may not be successful when the diseases are endemic in livestock and may cause more harm to wildlife, human livelihoods, and domestic animals.

Степной орел на территории резервата «Бокейорда» и Ащиозекского заказника (Западно-Казахстанская область) в 2022–2023 годы

Степной орел на территории резервата «Бокейорда» и Ащиозекского заказника (Западно-Казахстанская область) в 2022–2023 годы

Optimization of polymerase chain reaction for the identification of Roe deer, Saiga, and Siberian stag living in Kazakhstan.

Background and Aim:One of the reasons for the decline in the number of wild species of artiodactyls is poaching and the illegal trading of animal products. Molecular genetic identification of animals from a biological sample effectively proves poaching cases and illegal trade of animal products. This study aimed to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that allows for species identification of artiodactyl animals that are most often subject to poaching.Materials and Methods:Genomic DNA was extracted from meat and blood samples of animals killed by poachers using commercial kits. Three pairs of primers were designed and used to amplify the cytochrome b gene fragment of Roe deer, Saiga antelope, and Siberian stag.Results:The proposed protocol allows amplification of specific PCR products of 542 bp with Roe deer DNA, 587 bp with Saiga DNA, and 525 bp with Siberian stag DNA. Specificity analysis showed no cross activity with DNA from other animal species. The detection limit of PCR ranged from 15.6 pg to 1.9 pg of DNA in 25 mL of the reaction mixture.Conclusion:Sequencing the amplified products and subsequent comparison with the corresponding reference sequence showed a similarity ranging from 99.99% to 100%. The PCR based on the developed primers demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity when using DNA from homogeneous and heterogeneous animals.

Genetic diversity of the endangered Mongolian saiga antelopeSaiga tatarica mongolica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) provides insights into conservation

AbstractThe Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is one of the few megafauna species from the mammoth steppe still living today. Currently, saiga are classified as critically endangered, persisting only in small areas of Central Asian steppe and desert ecosystems. The species is divided into two subspecies: Saiga tatarica mongolica and Saiga tatarica tatarica. In this study, we have for the first time characterized the genetic diversity of the Mongolian saiga (S. t. mongolica) using both mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. We also analysed S. t. tatarica specimens in order to genetically compare both subspecies. The mitochondrial control region was sequenced for a total of 89 individuals: 20 skin, 53 umbilical cord, three placentae and a muscle sample from S. t. mongolica, and a total of 12 hair samples from S. t. tatarica. Additionally, 19 microsatellites developed for saiga antelope were also screened. Our results revealed that the Mongolian saiga presents very low genetic diversity at the mitochondrial level, with no shared mitochondrial haplotype between the two subspecies. Low genetic diversity is also present at the autosomal level, with most loci having low heterozygosity (Ho/He) and a low number of alleles per locus. Despite the low genetic diversity, we found no separation between the subpopulations in Mongolia, indicating that conservation corridors are actually promoting contact between different herds. Our results validate current conservation efforts and inform the implementation of new measures to increase the viability of the S. t. mongolica subspecies.

The trade of Saiga Antelope horn for traditional medicine in Thailand

Demand for Saiga Antelope Saiga tatarica horn products in Southeast Asia, due to their perceived medicinal value, has drastically impacted the conservation of this species. At the same time, poor understanding of the dynamics of this trade in parts of Southeast Asia continues to impede regulation and conservation efforts. Here we examine the trade of Saiga horn products in Thailand through a rapid physical and online market survey, and via an analysis of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) trade data. We found an active local trade in Saiga horn products in Thailand, with both physical market surveys and online surveys showing predominantly two forms of Saiga horn products in the market, i.e., cooling water and horn shavings (mostly sold as pre-packaged boiling kits). These products are commercially marketed as staple household medicines. Greater scrutiny, monitoring and research is urgently needed to understand how the use of Saiga horn is being regulated in Thailand including the number of licensed traders, potential stockpiles and management of these. Traditional medicine outlets and online sales of commercial Saiga horn products also requires attention. As a non-native species, the Saiga Antelope is not protected in Thailand which makes it difficult for enforcement authorities to prevent illegal trade of Saiga horn products within the country. Thailand is currently revising its wildlife laws with the intention of addressing the protection of non-native and CITES-listed species. Considering the widespread use of Saiga horn in Thailand, we recommend that Saiga Antelope be included in the revised species protection lists to enable enforcement action against trade in illegally sourced Saiga horn products.

Zooarchaeology of ancient Termez (Uzbekistan): From the Greco-Bactrian period to Islamic times

We present the results of the zooarchaeological analysis carried out on the fauna recovered in five different areas of ancient Termez (Uzbekistan). The sequence analysed covers the period from c 300 BCE to c 1400 CE (Greco-Bactrian/Yuezhi, Kushan, Sassanian, and Islamic periods). The investigation focused on the main animal species raised, the skeletal profiles represented and their age at death. A taphonomic study was also performed to evaluate the processing of the animals' bone carcasses by the human groups in Termez, and to determine other natural and biological agents that have affected the samples. The results reveal a livestock population dominated by sheep and goats throughout the period of occupation of the settlement, from which meat, wool and other dairy products were obtained. Cattle and horses are represented in the whole stratigraphic sequence, although they were particularly important during the Sassanian period. Swine also appears notably, although its frequency significantly decreases in the Islamic period. The diet included roosters and hens, probably also raised for their eggs. Wild species hunted and processed by the inhabitants of Termez appear in all phases of occupation. We should note the presence of gazelle and, in the Greco-Bactrian/Yuezhi phase, saiga antelope. Camelids are scarce and only documented during the Sassanian phase. The use of bones to manufacture game playing pieces or objects for textile production has also been recognised in ancient Termez.

Predictors of the Behavioral Intention to Participate in Saiga Antelope Conservation among Chinese Young Residents

Promoting public participation is a practical move to strengthen wildlife conservation. This study focuses on saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), an endangered species which has received international concern. Based on an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior and a sample of 536 Chinese residents aged 16–40 collected through an online survey, we applied Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling to explore the predictors of the behavioral intention to participate in saiga antelope conservation. The results show that perceived behavioral control is the most influential predictor that contributes to the value of the behavioral intention, followed by injunctive norm, attitude to participation, knowledge of saiga antelope, experience of wildlife conservation, and attitude to saiga antelope, altogether explaining 48.4% of the variance of the behavioral intention. To promote public participation in saiga antelope conservation, strengthening science popularization and broadening the channels of participation are suggested.

Investigating parasite dynamics of migratory ungulates for sustaining healthy populations: Application to critically-endangered saiga antelopes Saiga tatarica

Contact between wild and domestic ungulates is increasing across rangelands, enabling disease co-transmission. Disease management is difficult given uncertainties in complex system behavior, limited empirical data, and logistical obstacles to interventions. We studied gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) transmission in a rangeland shared by both livestock and the critically-endangered migratory saiga antelope, Saiga tatarica, in order to model infection dynamics under current and plausible future scenarios of increasing livestock numbers, climate change and anti-helminth treatments. Our model was parameterised for trichostrongylid GIN – a cause of mortality and morbidity in ungulates globally - using data on observed faecal nematode egg output and host numbers and distribution. Results showed that seasonal saiga migration leads to asymmetry in parasite transmission, with the majority of GIN acquired by saigas in their autumn and winter range through prior pasture contamination from livestock. Consequently, reducing parasite burdens in livestock early in the season in these areas could disproportionately reduce cross-transmission to saigas. Early-season GIN suppression in livestock in the saiga's spring and summer range was predicted to have weaker effect on parasite transmission to saigas but reduces infections during the calving period, potentially increasing population health and resilience at this critical time. Optimally timed treatments could offset the effects of increasing livestock numbers on GIN infection pressure, while climate warming had only marginal impacts on GIN transmission under all scenarios. Our findings could support better understanding and mitigation of factors affecting saiga health and rural livelihoods. Our approach is transferable to other systems, particularly those with migratory hosts.

Saiga tatarica tatarica

This datasheet on Saiga tatarica tatarica covers Identity.

Identifying relationships between multi‐scale social–ecological factors to explore ungulate health in a Western Kazakhstan rangeland

Abstract Rangelands are multi‐use landscapes which are socially and ecologically important in different ways. Among other interactions, shared use of rangelands by wildlife and livestock can lead to disease transmission. Understanding wildlife and livestock health and managing disease transmission in rangelands requires an integration of social and ecological knowledge. Using the example of Western Kazakhstan, home to two types of ungulate hosts, the critically endangered saiga antelopes, Saiga tatarica, and livestock, we conducted a cross‐scale analysis of social‐economic, ecological and climatic factors that contribute to transmission of diseases We focused on gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) because they are transmitted between hosts that share pasture and they affect ungulate fitness. We used an interdisciplinary social–ecological methods approach which included conducting faecal egg counts of GINs in saigas and livestock, semi‐structured interviews and focus group discussions with livestock owners and herders in the region, and triangulation of information through secondary sources. Livestock rearing was done in two ways: (a) village‐based livestock and (b) outlying farms. The latter overlapped more with saigas. Village‐based livestock had significantly higher worm burdens than those on outlying farms, which had comparable burdens to saigas. Various factors exacerbate GIN prevalence and transmission: Veterinary services are minimal; both saiga and livestock numbers are increasing; and changing climate is increasing farmers' dependence on shared pastures for hay production. It will be crucial for saiga conservationists to engage in multi‐pronged conservation interventions, which are evaluated and adapted through the lens of rural livelihoods and the livestock health on which they depend. Our work provides researchers and practitioners with an avenue to better understand complex inter‐relationships and plan interventions within rangelands, while viewing host health from an interdisciplinary perspective—ultimately working towards wildlife conservation while safeguarding livelihoods across the world's rangelands. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Product attributes affecting the substitutability of saiga horn drinks among young adult consumers in Singapore

AbstractGlobally, illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade can drive biodiversity loss. Understanding which product attributes consumers consider when deciding between products of threatened species or alternatives, is key for conservation interventions. Labeled Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) are underutilized in wildlife trade literature but can aid this understanding. In labeled DCEs, the alternatives presented to respondents have specific names (e.g., paracetamol) as opposed to being generic bundles (e.g., option A). We used a labeled DCE to assess young adult preferences toward “cooling water” used to treat fever and heatiness (a traditional Chinese medicine state of illness) in Singapore. One popular cooling water contains saiga horn, made from Critically EndangeredSaiga tataricaantelope. Data from 639 university‐enrolled respondents were analyzed using latent class models. Middle‐ to high‐income Chinese Singaporeans were the respondents most likely to choose saiga horn. Overall, however, respondents significantly preferred lower price products sold in nearby outlets—suggesting that for young adults in Singapore, saiga horn cooling water may be substitutable if its physical and financial availability is reduced.

Molecular epidemiology of peste des petits ruminants virus emergence in critically endangered Mongolian saiga antelope and other wild ungulates.

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes disease in domestic and wild ungulates, is the target of a Global Eradication Programme, and threatens biodiversity. Understanding the epidemiology and evolution of PPRV in wildlife is important but hampered by the paucity of wildlife-origin PPRV genomes. In this study, full PPRV genomes were generated from three Mongolian saiga antelope, one Siberian ibex, and one goitered gazelle from the 2016–2017 PPRV outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis showed that for Mongolian and Chinese PPRV since 2013, the wildlife and livestock-origin genomes were closely related and interspersed. There was strong phylogenetic support for a monophyletic group of PPRV from Mongolian wildlife and livestock, belonging to a clade of lineage IV PPRV from livestock and wildlife from China since 2013. Discrete diffusion analysis found strong support for PPRV spread into Mongolia from China, and phylogeographic analysis indicated Xinjiang Province as the most likely origin, although genomic surveillance for PPRV is poor and lack of sampling from other regions could bias this result. Times of most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) were June 2015 (95 per cent highest posterior density (HPD): August 2014 to March 2016) for all Mongolian PPRV genomes and May 2016 (95 per cent HPD: October 2015 to October 2016) for Mongolian wildlife-origin PPRV. This suggests that PPRV was circulating undetected in Mongolia for at least 6 months before the first reported outbreak in August 2016 and that wildlife were likely infected before livestock vaccination began in October 2016. Finally, genetic variation and positively selected sites were identified that might be related to PPRV emergence in Mongolian wildlife. This study is the first to sequence multiple PPRV genomes from a wildlife outbreak, across several host species. Additional full PPRV genomes and associated metadata from the livestock–wildlife interface are needed to enhance the power of molecular epidemiology, support PPRV eradication, and safeguard the health of the whole ungulate community.

Building an ecologically founded disease risk prioritization framework for migratory wildlife species based on contact with livestock

Abstract Shared use of rangelands by livestock and wildlife can lead to disease transmission. To align agricultural livelihoods with wildlife conservation, a multipronged and interdisciplinary approach for disease management is needed, particularly in data‐limited situations with migratory hosts. Migratory wildlife and livestock can range over vast areas, and opportunities for disease control interventions are limited. Predictive frameworks are needed which can allow for identification of potential sites and timings of interventions. We developed an iterative three‐step framework to assess cross‐species disease transmission risk between migrating wildlife and livestock in data‐limited circumstances and across social‐ecological scales. The framework first assesses risk of transmission for potentially important diseases for hosts in a multi‐use landscape. Following this, it uses an epidemiological risk function to represent transmission‐relevant contact patterns, using density and distribution of the host to map locations and periods of disease risk. Finally, it takes fine‐scale data on livestock management and observed wildlife–livestock interactions to provide locally relevant insights on disease risk. We applied the framework to characterize disease transmission between livestock and saiga antelopes Saiga tatarica in Central Kazakhstan. At step 1, we identified peste‐des‐petits‐ruminants as posing a high risk of transmission from livestock to saigas, foot‐and‐mouth disease as low risk, lumpy skin disease as unknown and pasteurellosis as uncertain risk. At step 2, we identified regions of high disease transmission risk at different times of year, indicating where disease management should be focussed. At step 3, we synthesized field surveys, government data and literature review to assess the role of livestock in the 2015 saiga mass mortality event from pasteurellosis, concluding that it was minimal. Synthesis and applications. Our iterative framework has wide applicability in assessing and predicting disease spill‐over at management‐relevant temporal and spatial scales in areas where livestock share space with migratory species. Our case study demonstrated the value of combining ecological and social information to inform management of targeted interventions to reduce disease risk, which can be used to plan disease surveillance and vaccination programmes.

Small cave bear (U. ex gr. savini-rossicus) as a game species of prehistoric man

Imanay Cave is located in the Southern Urals (53°02' N, 56°26' E), at 420 m.a.s.l. A 9.5 m2 trench was exca-vated in the grotto in the inner part of the cave to examine the sediments. The accretion thickness was 1.2 m. The taphocoenosis of the Imanay Cave is of the Pleistocene age and contains about 10,000 specimens of bone re-mains of large mammals. They mostly belong to small cave bear (U. ex gr. savini-rossicus), and the remaining bones — to species of the mammoth faunal complex (Lepus sp., Castor fiber, Marmota bobak, Canis lupus, Cuon alpinus, Vulpes vulpes, V. corsac, Meles sp., Gulo gulo, Martes sp., Mustela sp., Ursus kanivetz, U. arctos, U. thibetanus, Panthera ex gr. fossilis-spelaea, Mammuthus primigenius, Equus ferus, Coelodonta antiquitatis, Alces alces, Bison priscus, Saiga tatarica, Ovis ammon). In the layer with the bones, Middle Paleolithic stone artifacts were found, including several bifacial points. These tools have analogies in the Middle Paleolithic sites of the Caucasus region and Crimea. During excavations of the cave, the skull of a cave bear with artificial damage was found. The study of the artificial perforation on the skull was the purpose of the present paper. On the basis of dimensional and morphological features, it was established that the skull belongs to a small cave bear (U. ex gr. savini-rossicus). The skull was directly AMS radiocarbon dated to 34 940 ± 140 BP, IGANAMS-5652. Analysis of the growth layers in the teeth revealed that the animal died in winter at an age of 9-10 years. Trace evidence analysis showed, that the hole in the parietal region of the skull was made by a sharp bifacial flint point similar to the Middle Paleolithic points found in the cultural layer of the cave. The animal was killed during winter hiberna-tion, most probably by stabbing with a spear. This is the first direct evidence of human hunting of a small cave bear. With the abundance of cave bear bones, the skull with the hole in it is the only evidence of human impact on this animal. There are no bones with traces of butchering and harvesting of the bone marrow.

Late Pleistocene paleoecology and phylogeography of woolly rhinoceroses

The woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) was a cold-adapted herbivore, widely distributed from western Europe to north-east Siberia during the Late Pleistocene. Previous studies have associated the extinction of the species ∼14,000 calendar years before present to climatic and vegetational changes, suggesting the later survival of populations in north-east Siberia may have related to the later persistence of open vegetation in the region. Here, we analyzed carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes and mitochondrial DNA sequences to elucidate the evolutionary ecology of the species. Our dataset comprised 286 woolly rhinoceros isotopic records, including 192 unpublished records, from across the species range, dating from >58,600 to 12,135 14C years before present (equivalent to 14,040 calendar years ago). Crucially, we present the first 71 isotopic records available to date of the 15,000 years preceding woolly rhinoceros extinction. The data revealed ecological flexibility and geographic variation in woolly rhinoceros stable isotope compositions across time. In north-east Siberia, we detected stability in δ15N through time, which could reflect long-term environmental stability, and may have enabled the later survival of the species in the region. To further investigate the paleoecology of woolly rhinoceroses, we compared their isotopic compositions with other contemporary herbivores. Our findings suggested isotopic similarities between woolly rhinoceros and both musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) and saiga (Saiga tatarica), albeit at varying points in time, and possible niche partitioning between woolly rhinoceros and both horse (Equus spp.) and woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius). To provide phylogeographic context to the isotopic data, we compiled and analyzed the 61 published mitochondrial control region sequences. The genetic data showed a lack of geographic structuring; we found three haplogroups with overlapping distributions, all of which showed a signal of expansion during the Last Glacial Maximum. Furthermore, our genetic findings support the notion that environmental stability in Siberia influenced the paleoecology of woolly rhinoceroses in the region. Our study highlights the utility of combining stable isotopic records with ancient DNA to advance our knowledge of the evolutionary ecology of past populations and extinct species.

A systematic survey of online trade: trade in Saiga antelope horn on Russian-language websites

AbstractTrade in wildlife is increasingly moving online, which creates significant challenges for monitoring. Numerous reports have highlighted the extent of the trade but they rarely present a methodology to facilitate replication or any form of meta-analysis. Here we present a systematic approach to surveying online trade in wildlife that builds on the well-established systematic evidence review approach. We apply this approach to investigate the online trade in saiga antelope Saiga tatarica horns on Russian-language websites. Of the 419 advertisements, the majority (217, 52%) were from Ukraine, followed by Russia (122, 29%), and were largely offers to sell (254, 61%), and represented one-off advertisements. Trade was identified on 89 websites, with the majority being on classified ads websites (68, 76%), auction.violity.com being the most popular site (156, 37%). Prices varied significantly depending on the country and how the horn was being offered (i.e. by weight or length). It is clear that saiga horn is being traded over the internet, with Ukraine and Russia comprising c. 80% of advertisements on Russian-language websites. Individuals with single advertisements dominate, suggesting website fidelity, although website usage is country-specific, potentially reflecting domestic trade. This suggests country-specific interventions could be particularly effective. A systematic approach for investigating online wildlife trade provides a clear and transparent methodology, and, given data collection is resource-intensive, allows studies to be replicated so that trends can be identified. However, this is only possible if published studies report the methodology used.

Evaluating a large-scale online behaviour change intervention aimed at wildlife product consumers in Singapore.

Interventions to shift the behaviour of consumers using unsustainable wildlife products are key to threatened species conservation. Whether these interventions are effective is largely unknown due to a dearth of detailed evaluations. We previously conducted a country-level online behaviour change intervention targeting consumers of the Critically Endangered saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) horn in Singapore. To evaluate intervention impact, we carried out in-person consumer surveys with >2,000 individuals pre- and post-intervention (2017 and 2019), and 93 in-person post-intervention surveys with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shopkeepers (2019). The proportion of self-reported high-usage saiga horn consumers in the target audience (Chinese Singaporean women aged 35–59) did not change significantly from pre- to post-intervention (24.4% versus 22.6%). However, post-intervention the target audience was significantly more likely than the non-target audience to accurately recall the intervention message and to report a decrease in saiga horn usage (4% versus 1% reported a behaviour change). Within the target audience, high-usage consumers were significantly more likely than lower-usage consumers to recall the message and report a behaviour change. Across respondents who reported a decrease in saiga horn usage, they cited the intervention message as a specific reason for their behaviour change significantly more than other reasons. Additionally, across all respondents, the belief that saiga is a common species in the wild decreased significantly from pre- to post-intervention. TCM shopkeepers, however, cited factors such as price and availability as the strongest influences on saiga horn sales. In sum, the intervention did significantly influence some consumers but the reduction of high-usage consumer frequency was not significant at the population level. We explore reasons for these findings, including competing consumer influences, characteristics of the intervention, and evaluation timing. This work suggests our intervention approach has potential, and exemplifies a multi-pronged in-person evaluation of an online wildlife trade consumer intervention.