The Steppe Families series

We've reached the end of our furry series, and frankly, this hero deserves an Oscar for survival. In the vast expanses of Saryarka lives a species of fauna so unearthly that it could easily be imagined in a science fiction film about inhabitants of other planets. This is the saiga, or saiga antelope. Saigas are a unique treasure of Kazakhstan. They roamed our land back when woolly rhinoceroses, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers roamed it. All of them became extinct, but the saiga survived, remaining virtually unchanged for millions of years. The bizarre appearance of these antelopes always attracts special attention. Everything about saigas is remarkable: for example, horns grow exclusively on males. However, the main and most striking feature of these animals is their massive nose. This unusual feature didn't just appear out of nowhere—this organ is vital for survival in our harsh climate. Why does the saiga need this funny "proboscis"? People often laugh at this appearance, but this nose is a masterpiece of natural engineering. In summer, when a herd of thousands of saigas races across the dry steppe at speeds of over 60 km/h, clouds of dust rise. Inside the soft proboscis-like nose are special filters consisting of thousands of hairs and mucous membranes that completely cleanse the air of dust, protecting the runner's lungs. In winter, during severe frosts, this "proboscis" functions as a powerful heat exchanger. The icy steppe air, passing through the long internal labyrinths of the nose, has time to warm to body temperature before entering the lungs. Without this nose, the saiga would simply freeze while running. Maternity Hospital in the Steppe: The Miracle of Saiga Motherhood. Saigas are nomads. They have no burrows, they never stop, and spend their entire lives on the move. But once a year, in May, a tear-jerking event occurs in the steppe: saiga calving. Thousands of pregnant females gather in a single, remote area of the steppe. And in just a few days, tens of thousands of little saiga calves are born simultaneously. You can't even imagine what it's like to be born in a place with nowhere to hide? Cracked earth, cold storm winds, torrential rains, and sometimes even snow greet the newborn baby into this world. During this period, the saiga calf is completely helpless. It can't run. This tiny bundle spends the first days of its life alone in the harsh world. It lies curled up on the cold ground. Its only protection is its fragile camouflage. The baby's fur is the exact color of last year's yellowish steppe grass. You might pass by, just a few steps away, and not notice it: it literally dissolves into the spring steppe colors. When danger approaches, the steppe infant freezes, presses its tiny ears back, and even stops blinking. At that moment, its life hangs by a thread, and all it has is blind faith that the earth will shelter it. The mother is forced to leave. She abandons her child to the steppe winds so as not to attract wolves or eagles. Predators are the natural law of the steppe, and nature gave the baby a chance to escape them. But nature was completely unprepared for another, the most terrible threat on earth – humans. Camouflage protects against wolf teeth, but it is powerless against the wheels of SUVs, shrinking habitats, and poachers' bullets. Saigas have learned to survive in our harsh climate, but their fragile world instantly collapses when we intrude. Wildlife remains defenseless against human cruelty, greed, and indifference. And yet, despite everything, the steppe continues to fight for life. It holds great wisdom. If a strange mother saiga runs past a hungry baby, she will never leave it to die. She will stop and feed it with her milk. In this endless wilderness, there are simply no "other" children—the steppe cherishes each of its own. Only four or five days will pass. The thin legs will strengthen, and millions of years of evolution will propel the saiga calf forward. The baby will join the herd to begin its eternal run beyond the horizon. A run that will continue only as long as we humans allow this amazing, vulnerable miracle to exist on our planet. The grand finale of the "Wild" column—interesting on Aleboo! Our series about steppe families has come to an end. We witnessed the tender kisses of marmots, admired the loyalty of corsac foxes, marveled at the cleanliness of badgers, felt the power of the jungle boar, and venerated the ancient history of the saiga. The Korgalzhyn steppe is more than just a vast steppe. It's a vast, vibrant, bustling home, full of drama, love, danger, and beauty. The Aleboo team is here to lift the curtain on this. Our region is ready to surprise you during the best time of year for travel—from the spring sea of tulips to the autumn flight of birds flying south. Read our articles, pack your backpacks according to our guide, grab your binoculars, and come see this amazing world together. After all, it's even more "wild" in person!