(CNN) -- Wildlife experts are worried that the annual migration of an estimated 1 million antelopes across the grasslands of Mongolia could be threatened soon by the discovery of oil.

Several international oil companies already are extracting oil from the steppes, and plans for pipelines, roads and rail lines are under way.

The World Wildlife Fund launched a campaign Monday to draw attention to the plight of the antelope.

"The oil discovery is a good thing for Mongolia, but the antelope are also important. If a pipeline is to be built, the technology is available to ensure they can raise it, or put in underground," said Chimed Ochir of the WWF Mongolian Project Office.

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The antelopes' habitat is already threatened by heavy grazing. Half of Mongolia's population still herd livestock, increasing competition for space and water.

The WWF says the arrival of the oil firms could be the final blow for the antelope, but the companies disagree.

"There's no conflict at all. The Mongolian government, the people, the oil company and conservation will go hand-in-hand in this project and we will do our best to make the wildlife unspoiled," said Jerry Cotton, a site manager for the U.S.- based group SOCO.

The Mongolian government recently created three new nature reserves for the antelope. But officials, eager to attract foreign investment and hard currency, have not yet committed to protecting the antelopes' unique migration route -- through the vast grasslands of the steppe.