saiga

[ sahy-guh ]

/ ˈsaɪ gə /

a goatlike antelope, Saiga tatarica, of western Asia and eastern Russia, having a greatly enlarged muzzle.

Origin of saiga

1795–1805; (< New Latin) < Russian saĭgá(k) < Turkic; compare Chagatai sayğak

The chiru, which belongs to the typical or antilopine section of antelopes, is probably allied to the saiga.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2 |Various
Dr. Murie notices the inflation of the post-maxilla in the saiga, and states that a similar extension is to be found in the chiru.

Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon |Robert A. Sterndale
This genus differs from Gazella by having only two lower premolars as in Saiga.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
Hodgson was apparently not well acquainted at the time with saiga, or he would have certainly alluded to the affinity.

Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon |Robert A. Sterndale

Gesner has mentioned this animal under the name of colus, and Gmelin under that of saiga.

Buffon's Natural History. Volume VIII (of 10) |Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon

saiga

/ (ˈsaɪɡə) /

either of two antelopes, Saiga tatarica or S. mongolica, of the plains of central Asia, having an enlarged slightly elongated nose

C19: from Russian