ASTANA – Kazakhstan released a second Amur tiger into the wild on Oct. 31, marking another milestone in the country’s efforts to restore tigers to their historical habitat after more than 70 years of absence. Kazakhstan released a second Amur tiger, named Amur, into the wild on Oct.
31. Photo credit: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. The male tiger, named Amur, was released in the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve as part of Kazakhstan’s tiger reintroduction program.
The first tiger, a female named Umit, was released on July 31. The release was attended by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Alibek Kuantyrov, Chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee Daniyar Turgambayev, Director General of the Amur Tiger Centre Sergei Aramilev, Freedom Shapagat Corporate Foundation Managing Director Ruslan Dzhumashev, and reserve staff and specialists, including members of the anti-conflict team.
“Today, we are taking another important step towards bringing tigers back to Kazakhstan. On July 31 this year, the tigress Umit was released into the wild, and today we have released the second tiger, a male named Amur,” Kuantyrov said. He thanked the Amur Tiger Center and its specialists, as well as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other partners for supporting the program and helping restore natural ecosystems.
“Our main goal is not simply to return these predators to their historical habitat, but to establish a sustainable population capable of living and reproducing independently in the wild,” he said. After arriving in Kazakhstan, Amur was kept in a specially equipped acclimatisation enclosure in the Ile-Balkhash reserve under continuous specialist supervision.
Before his release, the tiger underwent veterinary examinations and behavioural assessments. Specialists evaluated his health, hunting skills, ability to obtain food independently and response to human presence. The results confirmed that he was ready to live in the wild.
Before his release, the tiger underwent veterinary examinations and behavioural assessments. Photo credit: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Amur was fitted with a satellite collar to help specialists monitor his movements and adaptation to the natural environment.
“Every tiger release carries significant responsibility. We must be certain that the animal is ready to live independently in the wild. That is why the decision is made only after a thorough assessment of its health, behaviour and hunting skills,” Turgambayev said.
He added that specialists would continue tracking the tigers’ movements and monitoring their adaptation.