Calving Location Selection Patterns of Saiga Antelope in Mongolia
The Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) is endemic to Mongolia where a threatened population of 7000 exists in the northern Gobi Desert. We analyzed factors that could affect selection of saiga calving locations in the Sharga Nature Reserve, western Mongolia, using data obtained from ground surveys over 4 years between 2008 and 2012.
Habitat selection for calving by ungulates (saiga antelope) is an important behavioral trait because it affects neonate survival. Generally, ungulate calving site selection varies by vulnerability to predators, local topography, habitat quality and level of human disturbance.