Eurasian Wildlife and Peoples

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Eurasian Wildlife and Peoples

We protect the natural and cultural heritage of Eurasia.

We envision a world with thriving and resilient ecosystems, where all peoples live sustainably, rooted in interwoven cultures, self-determination, and self-governance.

04/21/2026

Over the past two days, we’ve explored the global decline of wildlife and the mounting pressures facing migratory species, building awareness about the challenges biodiversity faces today. Now, we turn to a more hopeful story: the remarkable comeback of the saiga antelope.

We’ve covered the saiga’s rebound previously, so this isn’t breaking news. Still, a recent UN report highlights the saiga as one of only seven species listed under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) with an improved conservation status—bringing renewed attention to its recovery.

Quick recap: in the early 2000s, disease and human pressures pushed the species to the brink of extinction in Kazakhstan. Since then, numbers have rebounded dramatically—from about 39,000 in 2005 to more than four million today, improving the species’ global status from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened.

This historic turnaround reflects the results of sustained conservation efforts, including expanded anti-poaching initiatives, protection of key habitats, international cooperation, and engagement with local communities.

However, the saiga’s story isn’t a “happily ever after” just yet. The species remains vulnerable in parts of its range, and long-term recovery depends on continued protection and monitoring. Emerging pressures—including recent decisions affecting international trade in saiga horns and proposals for large-scale culls—underscore how fragile this recovery still is.

As we celebrate Earth Day tomorrow, we invite you to take the next step and turn awareness into action. If you’re able, consider a gift to Eurasian Wildlife & Peoples. Your support allows us to fund programs that protect wildlife in Kazakhstan and to safeguard the future of other vulnerable species in the region.
To donate: https://www.ewandp.org/donate/

Learn more about the saiga’s recovery: https://www.ewandp.org/programs/wildlife-conservation/saiga-antelope/

Learn more about Earth Day 2026: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2026/

04/20/2026

Yesterday we looked at global species decline, drawing on the Earthday.org fact sheet. Today we’re zooming in on the planet’s greatest travelers—migratory species—whose numbers are declining at an alarming rate, according to a new UN report. Major threats accelerating their decline include overexploitation, habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation.

The report, led by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), highlights several concerning trends:
49 percent of protected migratory species are experiencing population decline
one in four migratory species is at risk of extinction.
Scientists have identified 9,372 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) critical to migratory species—yet 47 percent still lack formal protection.

In short, more migratory species are declining than improving.

One encouraging development is that seven species—including Kazakhstan’s saiga antelope—are showing signs of recovery, demonstrating what coordinated international conservation efforts can achieve.

At CMS meetings in March, governments agreed to expand conservation efforts, including new or strengthened protections for 40 species and populations of birds, aquatic wildlife, and terrestrial animals. One example is the new Global Action Plan for the Conservation of the Steppe Eagle, aimed at protecting this iconic raptor across its entire migratory range. To learn more about the Global Action Plan and why it matters, visit: https://www.ewandp.org/2026/04/08/steppe-eagle-global-action-plan/

Tomorrow, we’ll spotlight a positive development in wildlife conservation, the remarkable rebound of the saiga antelope.

To view the full interim report on the State of the World’s Migratory Species, visit: https://www.unep-wcmc.org/en/news/plight-of-migratory-species-is-worsening-new-report-finds-ahead-of-global-wildlife-meeting

04/19/2026

We celebrate Earth Day this Wednesday, April 22—a reminder to reflect on our role as stewards of the planet. It starts with awareness: understanding the current state of biodiversity and the environment and the growing pressures they face.

To build that awareness, EarthDay.org has compiled a series of fact sheets designed to illustrate the scale and scope of today’s environmental challenges. Because much of our work at EWandP focuses on wildlife conservation, we’d like to highlight their Global Species Decline factsheet that shows that species around the world are experiencing widespread declines due to human activity. Here’s a snapshot:

Insect, grassland bird, and lizard populations are falling sharply—disrupting entire ecosystems;
Many primate species are experiencing dramatic population declines;
Marine mammals are being harmed at an alarming scale by bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear;
Big cats—such as lions and leopards—face growing pressure from habitat loss and illegal trade.

While these trends are global, the same pressures are evident in our focus region. Species we’ve highlighted on Eurasian Wildlife and Peoples—from the snow leopard and manul to the steppe eagle and saker falcon—face many of the same threats (habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and rapid environmental change, among others) driving wildlife declines worldwide. Rare plants such as Incarvillea semiretschenskia are also at risk, pushed toward extinction by a combination of human activities and shifting environmental conditions. In short, the natural systems that support life are under strain. Protecting them will require sustained, collective action at all levels.

We invite you to take a few minutes to explore the Global Species Decline factsheet and other Earth Day resources. If you have a little more time, learn about the wildlife and bird species we have profiled at ewandp.org, along with the conservation measures being taken to protect it.

Tomorrow, we’ll turn our attention to the plight of migratory species. According to a recent UN assessment, nearly half of migratory species are in decline. We’ll highlight efforts underway to reverse this trend for one particular migratory species, the steppe eagle.

Explore the Global Species Decline factsheet here: https://www.earthday.org/factsheets/
Learn more about wildlife, raptors, and landscapes: https://www.ewandp.org/programs/

04/13/2026

Last year marked a major milestone in the recovery of tugai forests in Kazakhstan’s Balkhash–Ili delta, with more than 37,000 new trees taking root. The record-breaking plantings will help to build healthier ecosystems and create stronger habitats for species like Bukhara deer, wild boar--and eventually, Amur tigers. Tugai (or tugay) forests are ribbons of trees and shrubs that grow along rivers in dry landscapes, providing water, shade, and shelter where life would otherwise struggle. Learn more about these restoration efforts and why tugai forests matter. https://www.ewandp.org/2026/04/01/tugai-recovery-gains-momentum-with-record-2025-plantings/

04/08/2026

Good news for the steppe eagle! At recent UN meetings in Brazil, governments approved the Steppe Eagle Global Action Plan, an important milestone toward reversing the decline of this iconic migratory raptor. The plan aims to strengthen coordinated conservation action to tackle the human‑related threats that have driven steep population losses in recent decades. Learn more:
https://www.ewandp.org/2026/04/08/steppe-eagle-global-action-plan/

04/02/2026

Kazakhstan’s landscapes are home not only to iconic wildlife, but also to an extraordinary variety of medicinal plants—serving as a natural pharmacy rooted in centuries of tradition. Building on our recent article, “Nature’s pharmacy on the steppe: celebrating World Wildlife Day 2026,” this piece explores the healing properties and cultural significance of three plants: wormwood, licorice, and sea buckthorn. Learn more: https://www.ewandp.org/2026/04/01/natures-pharmacy-on-the-steppe-medicinal-plants-of-kazakhstan/

03/10/2026

Spring is almost here! In many cultures, the hoopoe has long been celebrated as a herald of the season, symbolizing renewal, awakening, and the return of warmth. Learn more about this striking and fascinating bird—an important and colorful part of Kazakhstan’s biodiversity: https://www.ewandp.org/programs/wildlife-conservation/eurasian-hoopoe/

03/03/2026

Happy World Wildlife Day!

This year’s observance highlights medicinal and aromatic plants, drawing attention to their vital roles in healthcare, agriculture, and industry—as well as their importance in supporting ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods around the world.

World Wildlife Day 2026 also raises awareness about the growing threats to these plants and actions needed to protect them for future generations.

Kazakhstan has a rich tradition of medicinal plants rooted in steppe culture, Silk Road trade, and modern conservation efforts. Learn more: https://www.ewandp.org/2026/03/02/world-wildlife-2026/

Discover more about WWD2026: https://www.wildlifeday.org/en

02/20/2026

Progress continues in Kazakhstan’s tiger reintroduction program with the recent government approval to expand the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve. Broadening this protected area will strengthen landscape connectivity and secure vital habitats for prey species—laying the ecological foundation needed to sustain a future population of wild tigers in the country.

Learn more about the reserve expansion: https://www.wwfcentralasia.org/en/latest/news/?20675316/ExpansionoftheIle-Balkhash

Learn more about the tiger reintroduction program: https://www.ewandp.org/2025/11/20/tigers-in-2026/

02/06/2026

The common blackbird (Turdus merula) has been voted Kazakhstan’s 2026 Bird of the Year, beating out the mallard duck to claim the title. Learn more about this urban-adapted thrush, known for its flute-like song and remarkable ability to thrive through Kazakhstan’s harsh winters: https://www.ewandp.org/2026/02/05/kazakhstan-crowns-bird-of-the-year-the-common-blackbird/

01/29/2026

Gray wolves are essential to Kazakhstan’s ecosystems, ranging across steppes, deserts, forests, and mountain landscapes. Despite their ecological importance, they face growing challenges from human–wildlife conflict and limited population monitoring. Our profile of this apex predator and true “ecosystem engineer” explores the species ecology, subspecies, threats, and conservation efforts shaping its future in Kazakhstan.
Learn more: https://www.ewandp.org/programs/wildlife-conservation/gray-wolf/

01/15/2026

Start the new year by discovering one of Earth’s rarest birds. Meet the Ili saxaul jay (Podoces panderi ilensis), the only bird subspecies found nowhere else on the planet but Kazakhstan. Confined to a narrow band of sandy steppe between the Ili and Karatal rivers, this elusive jay favors sprinting across the desert rather than taking flight. Learn more: https://www.ewandp.org/programs/wildlife-conservation/ili-saksaul-jay/

Photo Credit: Kudaibergen Amirekul, via iNaturalist and Wikimedia Commons

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