Restoration and preservation of the european population of the saiga in conditions of the Republic of Kalmykia

Alongside with other nature protection actions devoted to restoration of natural ecosystems by a Decree of President of the Republic of Kalmykia in 2000 the Centre of wild animals of the Republic of Kalmykia has been created. One of goals of the Centre is captive breeding of saigas for the further introduction them to natural habitats and also preservation of a genepool and establishment of breeding stock. Currently there are more than 100 saigas of different sex and age contained in open-air enclosures (100 hectares of the fenced natural pastures) in branch of the Centre «Yashkylskiy» on Yashkul administrative district of Kalmykia. Staffs of the Centre jointly with specialists from other nature protection organizations, the scientific research institutes and high education schools carry out various projects on study and conservation of saiga.