Drivers of human-saiga antelope conflict in semi-arid rangelands of West Kazakhstan

Le résumé fourni par la source

The saiga antelope ( Saiga tatarica ), a keystone species of the Eurasian steppe biome, has recovered from near extinction in the early 2000s to a population of 2.8 million by 2024. This remarkable recovery has transformed the species into a global conservation success story. However rapidly increasing populations have also reshaped the nature of human-wildlife interactions and intensified conflicts in parts of their range, particularly in western Kazakhstan, which hosts over half of the global saiga population. To assess the extent, nature and drivers of this human-saiga conflict we conducted an interdisciplinary study combining semi-structured interviews ( n = 112; thematically coded), participatory mapping, and geospatial analyses across four districts of the West Kazakhstan Province during 2022–23. We identified four main conflict drivers: (1) damage to haymaking lands, (2) competition with livestock over scarce freshwater resources, (3) competition for grazing lands and (4) the perceived risk of saiga spreading zoonotic diseases to livestock. Spatial mapping identified over 60 potential hotspots of water usage conflicts due to overlapping saiga-livestock densities, limited water availability, and intense grazing pressure. These conflicts are exacerbated during drought conditions and peak in seasons of heightened resource demand, such as saiga calving and winter grazing periods. Our findings extend beyond the immediate context of saiga-human interactions. By combining spatial ecological data (saiga occurrence, livestock densities, and water availability) with local community perceptions, we identified areas of conflict and their underlying drivers, offering actionable insights into mitigation strategies. These include restoring water infrastructure, implementing participatory management approaches, and developing compensation mechanisms to offset resource losses. The study underscores the urgent need for adaptive conservation frameworks that balance the ecological imperatives of species recovery with the livelihoods of pastoralist communities. These insights are critical for addressing similar conservation challenges globally, particularly in comparable rangeland systems experiencing rapid ecological and socio-economic change. • Saiga antelope populations in Kazakhstan have rebounded to over 2.8 million, heightening conflict in western rangelands. • Mixed interviews, participatory mapping, and spatial analysis reveal 60+ conflict hotspots and four primary conflict drivers. • Conflict peaks seasonally during calving and winter grazing due to acute resource competition and stressed water systems. • Governance legacies and constrained pastoral mobility shape how communities experience and respond to conflict. • Mitigation options include participatory planning, water infrastructure repair, and improved rangeland governance.

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