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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.
Factors that affect group sizes in large ungulates are generally
poorly understood for species from remote regions. Understanding
grouping patterns is important for effective species management,
but is lacking for the endangered Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica
mongolica).
We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of
native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviourally
based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in
domestic goat production were associated with a three-fold increase
in local profits for herders co-existing with endangered saiga
(Saiga tatarica).
Factors affecting juvenile survival are poorly known in the
world's most northern antelope, the endangered saiga (Saiga
tatarica), yet these factors are fundamental for understanding what
drives population change.
Here we describe capture protocols for adult females handled
quickly and without anaesthesia. Using multiple vehicles driven at
high speed, individual saiga were isolated from groups and herded
into nets.