The critically endangered creature is one of the most uniquely adorable animals on the planet, and yet most people don’t even know that it exists. This is a sad reality considering this species is on the brink of extinction.
Meet the saiga antelope.
Characterized by its bulbous flexible and inflatable nose (used as a filter and an air heater), and long, thin legs, saiga antelopes resemble something of a mythical deer/anteater cross.
You would think their odd appearance would bring attention to their plight, but it’s actually just the opposite. These antelopes are declining at a shocking rate, having lost nearly 95% of its entire population within the last fifteen years, and no one has seemed to notice. In fact, the decline of this species is one of the fastest population collapses in recent history.
Why such a drop?
Like many other imperiled species, their horns are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Demand has already decimated the Chinese population. While there are still herds in countries like Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan, poaching in these areas has completely skewed the sex ratio, leaving only females. (Only males have horns, so they tend to be the individuals killed.)
Poached saiga horns confiscated by authorities. Image: World Wildlife Fund Not only are these migratory animals poached for their horns, they’re also hunted for meat, and they’re rapidly losing habitat and grazing land due to human encroachment.
Spread the word to give these rare animals a fighting chance! The more awareness, the better. You can also support the World Wildlife Fund’s efforts to help the species here.
Watch the video below to learn more:
