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Tigers Return to Kazakhstan in Historic Reintroduction Effort

23 September, 2024 – Ile-Balkhash, Kazakhstan – In a historic step toward the revival of Kazakhstan’s extinct tiger population, two captive Amur tigers, Bodhana and Kuma, have been translocated from Anna Paulowna Sanctuary, Netherlands, to the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan. This remarkable event is part of an ambitious program led by the Government of Kazakhstan with support from WWF and  UNDP to restore the Ile-Balkhash delta ecosystem and reintroduce tigers to the country and region, where the species has been extinct for over 70 years.

Daniyar Turgambayev, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, said “It is a high priority for Kazakhstan to work on the restoration of rare species. For ecological value it is important that our biodiversity chain is restored. And that the tiger that once lived in this area is reintroduced here.

The male and female tiger will be housed in a spacious semi-natural 3 ha enclosure within the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve. Any of their offspring will be released into the wild and will become the first tigers to roam Kazakhstan in decades, and potentially the first ever international tiger reintroduction. They will play an important role in the establishment of a new tiger population in the region where they had previously been wiped out as a result of excessive hunting.

Today marks a monumental conservation milestone to bring tigers back to Kazakhstan and central Asia,” said Stuart Chapman Leader of WWF Tigers Alive. “This tiger translocation is a critical step to not only bring back the big cat to its historic homeland but also to rewild an entire ecosystem.” 

Progress towards restoration of the area is already well underway with recovering and reintroduction of critical tiger prey species including endangered species such as Bukhara deer and Kulan (Asiatic wild ass) and reforestation of over 50 ha with native trees. The tigers will play a significant role in sustaining the structure and function of the ecosystem on which both humans and wildlife rely. 

Adilbaev Zhasar, the head of local community group “Auyldastar” said “With the launch of the tiger reintroduction program, we have witnessed a significant change - the revival of nature and our village of Karoi. This project not only restores lost ecosystems, but also fills us with pride in participating in a historic process. Because of small grants from WWF, we have the opportunity to do what we love, develop small businesses and create jobs in the village, which brings joy and confidence in the future.”

From the very beginning, the local community around Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve has been closely involved in the project. This includes support for improved agricultural techniques and in the future development of nature tourism in the area. 

The translocation of these tigers is the first of several planned in the coming years, with a goal to build a healthy population of about 50 wild tigers by 2035, starting with this pioneering pair for breeding. This initiative is not only a testament to the resilience of the species but also a powerful example of governments, conservation organisations and local communities cooperating in wildlife and nature conservation.