Environment protection agency reports that Dutch tigers feel good in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is preparing to breed Amur tigers to substitute the extinct Turanian tiger / Photo: Shutterstock

A pair of Amur tigers brought from the Netherlands to help restore the Turanian tiger population in Kazakhstan have successfully adapted to their new environment, according to the country’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev. He emphasized that the tigers have gained weight and are in good health.

«The tigers are kept separately and will remain so for some time. They are both in good shape and have even gained some weight. I receive health reports on them several times a month and can confirm that they are in excellent condition. There are no concerns about their ability to survive the winter,» Nyssanbayev elaborated during a briefing for the media.

According to the minister, the Amur tiger is a perfect candidate to replace the extinct Turanian tiger, as these carnivores are capable of living in a cold climate.

«In the wild, tigresses are ready for breeding once every 18 to 24 months. We expect the first cubs to be born as early as 2025 or 2026. After undergoing the adaptation process, they will be released into the wild after 18 to 24 months,» Nyssanbayev added.

In late September, various media outlets reported that two Amur tigers were transported from the Netherlands to Kazakhstan to restore the tiger population in the region. The carnivores were delivered to the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve.

CNN has also published a feature on Turanian tiger restoration in Ile-Balkhash Reserve, referring to the initiative as «magic» and «a second chance.»