Current state and prospects of preserving saiga antelope in Northwest Pre-Caspian region

To identify the main factors that affected a catastrophic decrease in the population of the saiga antelope in the Northwest Pre-Caspian region from 800 000 heads in the middle of the past century to about 5000 heads in Spring 2012, long-term data about the saiga antelope biology and the condition of its habitat were analyzed. The results obtained by modern procedures can be used to plan measures for preserving and restoring the population of the saiga antelope in Russia.