SAIGA MIGRATION AND ANCIENT HUNTING TRAPS ON THE ROUTES OF THEIR SEASONAL MIGRATIONS

E. Bykova
A. Esipov

Summary. In article the questions connected with extent and a direction of seasonal migrations of a saiga antelope on a plateau Ustyurt are considered. It is known that Ustyurt saiga population migrate to the winter pastures located in Karakalpak Ustyurt from the northern pastures located in Kazakhstan. Extent of migratory ways was decreased due to population declining and effect of barriers. The difference in terms and range of migration is defined mainly by weather conditions. Presence of a high snow cover has leading value in comparison with low temperatures as limits access of animals to forages. In the historical past it is possible to judge a migration direction on an arrangement of gigantic ancient hunting arrowhead-shaped constructions co-called arans, or kites. Kites crossed migratory routes of a saiga. They intended for "the passive" form of large-scale hunting with limited participation of hunters. Based on localisation of kites and recent data of saiga distribution, authors do the conclusion that, for a long time the migratory behaviour of saigas and a direction of migration ways has not changed. The modern data confirms that in territory of the Karakalpak Ustyurt saigas most often meet around a disposition of described system of kites.