Kazakhstan customs recently confiscated over 4,500 saiga antelope horns from a foreign national attempting to smuggle them out of the country. Valued at around 2 billion tenge (approx. $4.2 million USD), this massive seizure underscores the persistent threat of wildlife trafficking in Kazakhstan, with high demand for saiga horns due to their use in traditional medicine. Saiga antelopes, native to Central Asia, are critically endangered, and their horns are banned from international trade under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
The interception took place at a Kazakhstan border checkpoint, where customs officers conducted an inspection and uncovered the saiga horns hidden within the vehicle. Authorities confirmed the foreign national was detained, with local law enforcement launching a deeper investigation into potential trafficking networks. This seizure reflects increasing efforts by Kazakhstani customs to combat illegal wildlife trade by monitoring borders, enhancing cooperation with international agencies, and applying stricter penalties for violators.
Kazakhstan’s environmental agencies continue to work on increasing awareness of saiga preservation, emphasizing the impact of poaching on this endangered species, which saw drastic population declines over the past few decades. The Kazakh government, with international support, is implementing programs to protect remaining saiga populations, hoping to curb the demand for illegal wildlife products that threatens their survival.
