Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 9;7:44200. doi: 10.1038/srep44200.
An assessment of historical distribution patterns and potential reintroduction sites is important for reducing the risk of reintroduction failure of endangered species. The saiga antelope, Saiga tatarica, was extirpated in the mid-20th century in China. A captive population was established in the Wuwei Endangered Wildlife Breeding Centre (WEWBC) in the 1980s. Reintroduction is planned, but so far, no action has been taken. In this study, we delineated the historical distribution and potential reintroduction areas of saigas in China, using a literature review, interviews and predictive modelling. Results suggest that most of the seasonally suitable areas are non-overlapping, and China may have been a peripheral part of the main saiga range. WEWBC is not an ideal reintroduction site due to its low habitat suitability. Furthermore, we infer that two different movement patterns existed historically (regular migration and nomadic wandering). Our results demonstrate the challenges of restoring a free-ranging, self-sustaining saiga population in China. We recommend the setting up of additional breeding centres in protected areas within the potential saiga range in Xinjiang, and the development of a national action plan to provide a framework for the future recovery of the species.
评估历史分布模式和潜在的再引入地点对于降低濒危物种再引入失败的风险非常重要。赛加羚羊（Saiga tatarica）在 20 世纪中叶在中国灭绝。20 世纪 80 年代，在武威濒危野生动物繁殖中心（WEWBC）建立了一个圈养种群。目前计划进行再引入，但迄今为止尚未采取行动。在这项研究中，我们通过文献回顾、访谈和预测模型，描绘了中国赛加羚羊的历史分布和潜在再引入区域。结果表明，大多数季节性适宜区域是不重叠的，中国可能曾经是赛加羚羊主要分布区的边缘地带。WEWBC 由于其栖息地适宜性低，不是一个理想的再引入地点。此外，我们推断历史上存在两种不同的迁徙模式（定期迁徙和游牧游荡）。我们的研究结果表明，在中国恢复自由放养、自我维持的赛加羚羊种群面临挑战。我们建议在新疆潜在赛加羚羊分布区内的保护区内建立额外的繁殖中心，并制定国家行动计划，为未来物种的恢复提供框架。
