針對數量急遽減少的亞洲大鼻羚（又名賽加羚）的保育工作，在本週大規模展開。保育人士計畫捕捉8隻大鼻羚並為其裝上追踪頸圈。據野生動物保育協會指出，這種稀有且長相怪異的亞洲羚羊，數量在過去15年間忽然減少了95%。在嘗試進行更有效的保育方式同時，科學家希望能更加了解這種獨特的生物。
一群科學家在蒙古戈壁沙漠作業，他們捕捉這8隻賽加羚羊後，為牠們裝上全球衛星定位系統（GPS）追蹤器項圈。這個研究團體是由野生動物保育協會主導，由蒙古科學院和國家地理協會所贊助。
這次研究計畫的協同主持人，也是野生動物保育協會的科學家柏格（Kim Berger）表示：「GPS項圈能夠提供我們羚羊在這塊美麗但貧瘠的大地上遷移時的種種資訊，好讓我們發展出更多有用的保育策略，以確保這個我們所知有限的生物繼續生存」。
賽加羚羊的外表相當獨特。站起來肩膀離地不過兩呎高，且只有50磅重，但是牠們卻有明顯的大鼻子——和貘有點相像。這個特別鼻子的功能並不清楚，但是在蒙古的嚴冬及惡劣的沙塵暴中，它可以發揮保暖、過濾空氣的作用。
但賽加羚羊在近幾年來數量急遽減少，估計從100萬隻掉到僅剩3萬隻。世界保育聯盟考慮將賽加羚羊列為嚴重瀕絕物種。數量減少的原因，主要人類盜獵作為中藥材，以及與其他動物的生存競爭。賽加羚羊的角在中國一公斤可賣100美元以上，因此公羊成為獵人垂涎的目標，因為公羊才有角，這使得這個物種的存續更加危險。
這物種在烏茲別克、土庫曼、卡爾梅克、哈薩克等地區仍然可見，但只有在蒙古發現的這個亞種，也許不到2000隻。一萬年前賽加羚羊自北育空及阿拉斯加地區漫步至英格蘭地區，但因氣候及植披改變，如今在北美及英國的種類已告滅絕。在蘇聯帝國崩頹的同時，濫捕則造成了賽加羚羊數目驚人的下降。
此計畫的共同主持人、野生動物保育協會的資深研究者喬貝格（Joel Berger）說：「雖然在蒙古逐漸走入自由市場經濟之時，必須面對嚴苛的保育任務，但經由一些科學設備的投入和地方社區的支援，賽加羚羊可輕易成為一成功保育範例。」
The effort to protect a rapidly declining species of rare, odd-looking Asian antelope received a major boost this week, as conservationists manage to capture eight animals and fit them with tracking collars. Numbers of the saiga antelope have plummeted 95 percent in the past 15 years, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, and scientists are desperate to learn more about the unique creatures as they try and develop an effective effort to protect the species.
The eight saigas were captured and fitted with high-tech global positioning system (GPS) collars by a group scientists working in Mongolia's windswept Gobi Desert. The research team, led by WCS, is supported by the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.
"The GPS collars will provide information on movements of saigas across this dazzling but arid landscape so that a more comprehensive conservation strategy can be developed to assure the persistence of this little known species" said WCS research scientist Kim Berger, a co-director of the study.
The antelopes are certainly a species with a distinct look. Standing just under two feet at the shoulder and weighing about 50 pounds, the saiga has a strikingly large nose - similar to a tapir. The function of this unusual nose is not clear, but it may serve to warm or filter air during Mongolia's frigid winters and notorious dust storms.
But the population of saigas has fallen dramatically in recent years - from an estimated one million animals to only 30,000 - and the saiga is considered critically endangered by the World Conservation Union. The primary causes of the decline are poaching for Chinese medicine and competition with livestock. Saiga horns can be sold in China for more than $100 a kilogram and focused hunting of males, which have horns, has put the species in further peril.
The species still occurs in pockets of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kalmykia, and Kazakhstan, but the genetically unique subspecies found only in Mongolia numbers perhaps less than 2,000. Ten thousand years ago saigas roamed from the northern Yukon and Alaska to England, but the species was lost from North America and Britain as climate and vegetation shifted. With the collapse of the Soviet Empire, unregulated hunting resulted in the recent startling decrease in saiga numbers.
"Although Mongolia faces stiff conservation challenges as it transitions to a free-market economy, the saiga can easily emerge as a success story with a little scientific input and support for local communities" added Joel Berger, project co-director and senior scientist with the WCS.
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
