INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON SAIGA CONSERVATION

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear colleague,

Responding to a drastic decline of the European population of the saiga antelope and a critical state of its demographic structure, the government of the Republic of Kalmykia has proposed to organize an international workshop aimed at developing an Action Plan for the conservation of this animal, to be held in the city of Elista on 5-10 May 2002.

Taking into account the alarming news about the state of the saiga in other parts of its range, the CITES Secretariat, the IUCN's Species Survival Commission, and the Caspian Program of the ISAR have supported this initiative. As a result of consultations with these and other conservation organizations, the government of Kalmykia has formed the Organizing Committee for the workshop preparation.

A tentative list of issues to be discussed during the workshop is as follows:

• Distribution, status, and population dynamics of the saiga in different parts of its range over the last decade;
• Assessment of saiga habitats and migration routes; measures to be taken for their restoration;
• What should, can, and is being done to prevent poaching and illegal trade in saiga products (horns, etc.);
• The role of protected areas in conserving different saiga populations;
• Captive breeding of the saiga and conservation of its genetic diversity;
• Current programs of monitoring saiga populations; their scientific and technical basis;
• The role of economic incentives in the conservation of the saiga;
• Legal instruments for conserving the saiga;
• Environmental education and public involvement in saiga conservation programs;
• The role of international cooperation in implementing saiga conservation programs.

To further design the framework of this meeting and make it effective, we consider it very important to obtain in advance a pool of expert views on the state of the saiga and the priority measures for its conservation. For this purpose, we have developed the pre-workshop questionnaire. We've reciveived about 100 responses, which we are processing right now

The workshop program will start with the introductory plenary session, to be followed by several parallel sessions focused on specific issues. In conclusion, the participants will be invited to gather for another plenary session, summarizing the work done during the previous days. Discussions will be held in Russian and English, with simultaneous translation provided at all sessions. The participants will have an opportunity to visit a newly-established saiga breeding center near Elista and the animal's spring habitats in the area (if the weather would make this excursion possible).

If you need additional information, please, contact Dr. Anna Lushchekina:
E-mail: mab.ru@relcom.ru
Fax: + 7 (095) 129 1354
Post: Russian MAB Committee, 13 Fersman Street, Moscow, Russia 117312.

Organizing Committee