Science is Fun Fridays!
In the last 20 years, the Saiga antelope population in Kazakhstan has recovered from 40,000 to 2.8 million.
That's why the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative was awarded the 2024 Earthshot Prize for ecosystem restoration.
The efforts restored 75 million hectares of grassland, wetland, and desert. Saiga are considered a keystone species, pivotal in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, and one that's relied on by steppe eagles, sociable lapwings, kulan, and the Przewalski's horse (the world's last living wild horse species).
They went extinct in the wild during the 60's, but conservation efforts have also helped recover their populations on the plains of Central Asia.
The Earthshot Prize provides funding and expert support, as well as partnership and coaching opportunities through Global Alliance Partners.
