ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing the next stage of its tiger reintroduction program, with two cubs expected to be released into the wild in 2027, Kazinform reported on Nov.3. The cubs are undergoing adaptation in special enclosures. Their release will depend on their health, behavior, and ability to survive independently.
The program aims to release around 10 tigers into the wild by 2033. Specialists are assessing how many tigers the Balkhash Region’s ecosystem can support. They are monitoring the first tigers released into the wild to determine how well the animals adapt to their new habitat, said Sergei Aramilev, director general of the Amur Tiger Center.
According to Aramilev, the release of two adult Amur tigers into the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve was designed as a scientific experiment. The findings will help determine whether the area can sustain a stable tiger population and identify which animals should be selected for future stages of the program.
The first adult female Amur tiger, named Umit, was released on July 31 in the reserve in southeastern Kazakhstan. Equipped with a satellite tracking collar, she has been moving independently through an area once inhabited by the now-extinct Caspian, or Turan, tiger.
The second tiger, a male named Amur, was subsequently released into the reserve as part of the reintroduction program. “By assessing how the tigers adapt, we will understand how suitable the territory is and what size of population it can support. Most importantly, we will learn which tigers should be selected for the further development of the program,” Aramilev said.
Researchers will monitor how the predators adjust to natural conditions, establish territories and hunt. The findings will help experts refine plans to restore the tiger population. Aramilev highlighted that the project could serve as an example for other countries considering efforts to restore populations of large predators that have disappeared from their territories.
“This project sends a signal to the world. No country has ever restored a historically extinct species of large mammal, especially a predator. The scientific experiment taking place here will show other countries that it is possible,” he said. Umit has shown positive signs of adapting to the wild.
Her first recorded prey was a wolf, followed several days later by a wild boar. Her hunting activity during the first 10 days indicated that she was adjusting well to her new environment. The program’s first phase is expected to run until around 2033, with about 10 tigers planned for release.
The overall initiative is designed to span approximately 35 years and could be extended if successful.