Photo: Astrakhan 24
The saiga, born in May 2022, was released into its natural habitat in the Stepnoy reserve in the Limansky district three months ago. Before being released into semi-free conditions, the male of the relic antelope was equipped with a device with the function of video recording and data transmission. It is needed for remote monitoring of the saiga population of the North-Western Caspian region, which is carried out by scientists from the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Last week, the male was in the coverage area of cellular transmission. Institute specialists received a report on its movement from the moment of issue until December 25, 2022. These studies have shown that the young saiga actively moves around the territory of the reserve and stays with the herd.
The project for remote monitoring of the saiga population has been implemented since 2020. All animals are marked with transmitters before being released into the territory of the Stepnoy Reserve. Saigas are raised and researched under the state program "Environmental Protection of the Astrakhan Region".