Establishing a network of artificial watering holes for saiga antelope in Russia

In the Northwest Pre-Caspian Region of Russia, rising temperatures and declining precipitation have dried up natural water sources, threatening the endangered saiga antelope, particularly during the calving period. To address this, a WWF-funded pilot project restored three abandoned Soviet-era artesian wells in the Stepnoi Wildlife Refuge in late 2018. The restoration doubled the water flow at these sites, which are now used by saiga, foxes, and wolves. The project aims to improve calf survival, reduce competition with livestock, and decrease poaching by keeping the antelope within the protected area. The saiga population in the area is estimated to have grown from 5,000 to 7,000 individuals, though further adaptation measures are required.

• Climate change in the Northwest Pre-Caspian Region of Russia, characterized by rising temperatures and falling precipitation, has led to the drying of small lakes and streams during summer, which threatens the survival of saiga antelope calves as females select calving sites based on proximity to water.
• A pilot project funded by the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund restored three Soviet-era artesian wells in the Stepnoi Wildlife Refuge in late 2018, resulting in at least a twofold increase in water flow at each site.
• The restoration of watering holes is expected to reduce poaching and competition with livestock by decreasing the time saiga antelope spend outside protected areas searching for water; the local population is now estimated at 7,000 individuals, up from 5,000 before the project.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Establishing a network of artificial watering holes for saiga antelope in Russia. https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/wildlife/wildlife-adaptation-innovation-fund/establishing-a-network-of-artificial-watering-holes-for-saiga-antelope-in-russia/

Chicago

WWF International. Establishing a network of artificial watering holes for saiga antelope in Russia. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/wildlife/wildlife-adaptation-innovation-fund/establishing-a-network-of-artificial-watering-holes-for-saiga-antelope-in-russia/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Establishing a network of artificial watering holes for saiga antelope in Russia |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/wildlife/wildlife-adaptation-innovation-fund/establishing-a-network-of-artificial-watering-holes-for-saiga-antelope-in-russia/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndestablishing, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Establishing a network of artificial watering holes for saiga antelope in Russia}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/wildlife/wildlife-adaptation-innovation-fund/establishing-a-network-of-artificial-watering-holes-for-saiga-antelope-in-russia/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }