Kazakhstan released a male Amur tiger into the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve on 31 October, its second release in a programme to return tigers to an area where they disappeared more than 70 years ago. The male, named Amur, followed a female named Umit, which was released on 31 July. The reserve lies in a region once inhabited by the Caspian tiger, also known as the Turanian tiger.

Amur spent time in an enclosure at the reserve while specialists assessed how he would cope on his own. Veterinarians checked his health, and the team observed his hunting ability, his response to people and whether he could find food independently. A satellite collar allows staff to follow his movements after release.

Umit is already hunting independently and exploring the reserve, according to the programme’s specialists, who are also following her movements by satellite. The two adults arrived from Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory in May with two cubs. The cubs remain under supervision, and specialists will assess them before deciding whether to release them when they are older.

The habitat work began in 2018 with the creation of the reserve. The historic tiger population had declined as poaching and habitat loss took their toll and the supply of wild prey fell. Conservation teams have moved Bukhara deer and kulans into the reserve to rebuild prey populations, including 30 kulans transferred in September from Altyn-Emel State National Nature Park. Kazakhstan and Russia are working with conservation organisations and researchers on the reintroduction.