12 May 2011: An expert with the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA), Elena Bykova of Uzbekistan, has been awarded the Whitley Award by the Whitley Fund for Nature in recognition of her long-term conservation effort and impact towards the recovery of the Saiga Antelope (Saigo spp) in Uzbekistan. The SCA is part of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Saiga Antelope Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Along with the Association of the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan, the SCA provides technical and logistic support for the coordination of the CMS Saiga Antelope MoU to catalyse urgent conservation activities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia and Mongolia.

The Saiga Antelope is a critically endangered migratory ungulate of the steppes and semi-deserts of Eurasia. The CMS MoU and associated Action Plan provides a road map to guide the implementation of Saiga Antelope conservation action in range states and countries which import saiga produce.

The aim of the Whitley Award is to identify inspirational conservation leaders and give them funds and skills to enable them to make even greater use of their scientific expertise and local knowledge to deliver real and lasting benefits for people, wildlife and the places both share. [CMS Press Release] [CMS Saiga Antelope MoU] [Whitley Fund for Nature Press Release] [Film on Bykova’s Work]