Check in throughout the day on Saturday, December 22, to see 24 Mammals in 24 Hours!
0076
I just love these guys; sadly, saigas are severely endangered, owing to habitat destruction and, especially, widespread poaching—their horns are a valuable ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, their numbers have plummeted almost 95 percent in less than 20 years, a rate that is unheard of and very alarming.
They live on the steppes of central Asia. Some think their strange proboscis helps filter out the dust; others think it heats up the air they breathe before it reaches their lungs.
I came snout-to-snout with a stuffed saiga specimen at the Wagner Free Institute of Science in Philadelphia. I hope I can see a live one someday. I hope it’s even possible.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Very cool project! I’m sorry that I can’t donate, but if I could submit a request anyway? I’d really like to see any kind of otter, sea otter, river otter, any kind. I just like ‘em. Whenever you could get to it would be fine.
Of course you can make a request! Thanks, Lydia. I love otters too.