Farmers in the Novouzensky district of the Saratov region have appealed to President Vladimir Putin, seeking resolution to the escalating problem of saiga antelope invasions. The influx of these animals from Kazakhstan has become a major issue for agricultural regions bordering the country, leading to significant crop damage and financial losses.

The saiga antelope migration has led to the destruction of hundreds of hectares of crops, including chickpeas, safflower, and spring wheat. The sheer number of animals makes it nearly impossible for farmers to protect their fields. The damage is so extensive that farmers fear a complete crop failure this year.

The situation has been worsening over the past five years. While previous migrations were manageable, the saigas now stay for extended periods, both in spring and autumn, causing more significant harm. Farmers have attempted to drive the animals away, but the scale of the invasion overwhelms their efforts.

The affected areas include farms such as “New Life,” “Dyurskoye,” and several individual peasant farms near the Kazakhstan border. However, the problem is spreading, with saigas penetrating further into the district, causing concern among a wider range of agricultural producers.

Farmers propose two main solutions: regulating the saiga population or providing insurance coverage for the damage they cause. Currently, saigas are not classified as agricultural pests, and there is no insurance available to cover the losses they inflict. Farmers also seek compensation for past damages, particularly for spring crops that were completely destroyed.

Authorities have acknowledged the severity of the issue. Governor Roman Busargin has directed the Ministry of Agriculture to assess the damage and develop support measures for affected farmers. However, the farmers themselves have not yet quantified the total losses due to the ongoing migration and increasing number of animals.

Saigas also pose a threat to livestock farms by consuming forage and potentially transmitting diseases. The presence of saigas also attracts predators like wolves, which prey on young antelopes and further disrupt the ecosystem.

Fencing is not a viable solution due to the extensive borders and the saigas’ ability to breach barriers. Farmers suggest that the state should intervene to regulate the saiga population through controlled culling, providing a source of environmentally friendly meat. This would create jobs and generate revenue while protecting agricultural interests.

Experts note that the saiga population has rebounded significantly and is returning to its former habitat. With numbers estimated to reach millions, the Volga-Ural population, in particular, migrates north into Russia, causing agricultural damage. This active reproduction can also lead to disease outbreaks and mass mortality among the saigas themselves.