Scientists, conservationists and representatives from implementing bodies came together in Almaty from 29th to 31st October 2008 to assess the status of the medium-term work programme 2007-2011of the Saiga Antelope Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which came into force in 2006. A workshop assessed how individual saiga populations are currently being monitored, what optimal methodology should be used and how such methods could be practically implemented. The meeting and forthcoming report on MoU administration will pave the way for the second Meeting of Signatories. The joint CITES-CMS activity is envisaged to take place in 2009.

Saiga experts were present from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Mongolia, India, the UK and Germany to discuss international saiga conservation. Since 2006 there has been considerable progress on the medium-term programme , for example on the development of a captive breeding programme in Mongolia and strengthened anti-poaching project in Kazakhstan. The exchange of information on MoU administration in and between the individual range states and internationally has been facilitated through Saiga News, which provides a good overview of conservation action since 2005.

In early 2009 a status report will be published by CMS to establish progress on all activities under the medium-term work programme, which will allow government representatives to prioritise their saiga antelope conservation policy.

Related links:

http://www.cms.int/species/saiga/saiga_meetings.htm

http://www.saiga-conservation.com/saiga_news.html