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WATER, LAND AND FOREST RESOURCES

DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS

Madiyar Tolgambayev 1 , Mukhtar Baybatshanov 1 , Anar Zhubanyshova 1 , Viktor Salovarov 2

1 Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; 2 Irkutsk State Agrarian University named after A.A. Yezhevsky, Irkutsk, Russia

doi.org/10.37884/3-2026/16 pp. 194-202 Admitted 05.01.2026 Published 30.06.2026

Abstract

The article examines the determination of saiga antelope population density based on population census activities. During the population surveys, seasonal migration routes, aggregation areas, and population structure of saiga antelopes were comprehensively analyzed. The results of the study indicate that census activities should be completed before saigas congregate at calving or breeding sites, as delayed surveys significantly complicate animal counting and increase stress levels in pregnant females. It was determined that, depending on the population status, saiga population counts should be completed by April 15–20. Due to the increase in population size and density, issues related to the accuracy and reliability of estimating large aggregations of saiga antelopes have arisen in the Ural and Betpak-Dala populations, leading to a decrease in the precision of census results. In this regard, taking into account the developed census methodology, approaches to improving aerial surveys using aircraft-based aerial photography are proposed. It was established that, instead of 40 flight hours, 50 flight hours are required to improve survey effectiveness. To enhance the quality of population counts and monitoring under conditions of high population density, it is recommended to annually mark selected individuals in each population. This will allow tracking the timing and general patterns of movements and optimizing census survey areas. Additionally, it is recommended to further develop a saiga population monitoring system in cooperation with local hunting and wildlife management specialists.

saiga, endemic, population, biotechnology, monitoring, abiotic factors, mammals, biotic factors, poaching, colony, migration

01 Introduction

The full text of the article is available for download in PDF format on the right panel.

02 References

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Citation Links

[1]2026. DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS. Izdenister natigeler. 28, 3 (111) (Jun. 2026), 194–202. DOI:https://doi.org/10.37884/3-2026/16.
(1)DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS. Izdenister natigeler 2026, 28 (3 (111), 194-202. https://doi.org/10.37884/3-2026/16.
DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS. (2026). Izdenister Natigeler, 28(3 (111), 194-202. https://doi.org/10.37884/3-2026/16
DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS. Izdenister natigeler, [S. l.], v. 28, n. 3 (111), p. 194–202, 2026. DOI: 10.37884/3-2026/16. Disponível em: https://agrosoil.kaznaru.edu.kz/index.php/research/article/view/1155. Acesso em: 15 sep. 2026.
“ DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS”. 2026. Izdenister Natigeler 28 (3 (111): 194-202. https://doi.org/10.37884/3-2026/16.
“ DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS” (2026) Izdenister natigeler, 28(3 (111), pp. 194–202. doi:10.37884/3-2026/16.
[1]“ DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS”, Izdenister natigeler, vol. 28, no. 3 (111), pp. 194–202, Jun. 2026, doi: 10.37884/3-2026/16.
“ DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS”. Izdenister Natigeler, vol. 28, no. 3 (111), June 2026, pp. 194-02, https://doi.org/10.37884/3-2026/16.
“ DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS”. Izdenister natigeler 28, no. 3 (111) (June 30, 2026): 194–202. Accessed September 15, 2026. https://agrosoil.kaznaru.edu.kz/index.php/research/article/view/1155.
1.DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS. Izdenister natigeler [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Sep. 15];28(3 (111):194-202. Available from: https://agrosoil.kaznaru.edu.kz/index.php/research/article/view/1155
1.DETERMINATION OF POPULATION DENSITY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE POPULATION COUNTS. Izdenister natigeler. 2026;28(3 (111):194-202. doi:10.37884/3-2026/16