Kazakhstan has released a second Amur tiger into the wild as part of its efforts to restore the big cats to their historical habitat. The country lost its native tiger population more than 70 years ago.
The assessments confirmed that Amur was ready to live in the wild, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. That is why the decision is made only after a thorough assessment of its health, behaviour and hunting skills,” said Daniyar Turgambayev, chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee, as reported by Kazakhstan’s Astana Times. The releases are part of a long-term programme to reintroduce tigers to Central Asia. The region was once home to the Caspian, also known as the Turan, tiger. “Every tiger release carries significant responsibility. We must be certain that the animal is ready to live independently in the wild.
The male tiger, named Amur, was released into the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve in south-eastern Kazakhstan on October 31, according to Asatana Times. He joins Umit, a female tiger released into the same reserve on July 31. 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.
Turgambayev said specialists would continue monitoring the tigers’ movements and their adaptation to the reserve. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Alibek Kuantyrov said the latest release marked another important step in bringing tigers back to the country. “I would also like to express my gratitude to the World Wildlife Fund and all our partners, who have been contributing to the restoration of Kazakhstan’s natural ecosystems and creating the necessary conditions for the return of tigers for many years,” Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Alibek Kuantyrov said.
“Today, we are taking another important step towards bringing tigers back to Kazakhstan.
