Fields in the Saratov Region Are Suffering from an Invasion of Saiga Antelopes

In the Saratov region, serious damage is being inflicted on agricultural crop plantings due to the massive spread of saiga antelopes across their territory, media reports. These even-toed ungulates migrated to the region from Kazakhstan at the end of May. Currently, around 1 million of these animals have been discovered in local fields. They trample and eat crops. Live evidence of this exists on social networks. For example, in the Telegram channel "Saratov and Region News," a video appeared showing the head of one farm attempting unsuccessfully to drive these animals away from his fields. They have also caused damage to the ecological condition of the Malyi Uzen River, where hundreds of these animals have drowned. A video of the incident has also been posted in the same Telegram channel. Another problem is that saiga antelopes are listed in the Red Books of Russia and Kazakhstan. This means that eliminating them through hunting and population control is, unfortunately, also ...