Tengrinews.kz - Rare footage showing the first winter of tigers at the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve has been shared online.
The video was published on the official Instagram account of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife.
Following a veterinary quarantine in small enclosures, the tigers were moved to larger enclosures, each over 0.5 hectares in size. The complex was designed to meet the needs of the predators, allowing them to move freely and adapt to their environment.
"We are pleased to share rare footage from surveillance cameras capturing the first wintering of tigers at the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. This is a unique opportunity to see how these predators adapt to their new habitat and confidently endure their winter in Kazakhstan," the committee said.
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Since the start of winter, the tigers’ daily meat ration has been increased, though they still have one "fasting" day per week, as is standard for predators in enclosures.
Earlier this year, Kazakhstan initiated the reintroduction of the Turanian tiger. On September 23, two striped predators were brought from the Netherlands. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources clarified that the reintroduction program will span several years, including habitat preparation (establishing a food base, building enclosures, and other measures), releasing the animals into the wild, and monitoring the program's success.
In mid-December 2024, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Erlan Nysanbayev provided updates on the condition of the tigers brought from the Netherlands. He noted that these tigers belong to a frost-resistant species.
"The Turanian tiger is related to the Amur tiger and tolerates cold weather well. Currently, they are kept in enclosures and are in excellent condition, having gained weight. There are no concerns about their ability to survive the winter," Nysanbayev assured during a government briefing.
Previously, Nysanbayev announced that Kazakhstan plans to bring Amur tigers from Russia in 2025 as part of a project to restore the Turanian tiger population.
