Kazakh saigak population more than doubles over period of 5 years

    Kazakhstan's population of the endangered saigak antelope has increased nearly 2.3-fold in the past five years, Tengri News reported June 19, citing the Environment Protection Ministry's press office.
    Even poaching and a pasteurellosis die-off in 2010-2012 were unable to stop the population rebound, the ministry said.
    Kazakhstan has 137,000 saigaks now, compared to 61,000 five years ago, it added. It credited the increase to protective measures that Kazakhstan undertook in agreement with other countries with saigak populations. Kazakhstan spent 2.1 billion KZT (US $13.9m) in the past few years to conserve the saigak, the ministry said, according to Central Asia Online.