At the end of May, Russia gifted Kazakhstan a pair of adult Amur tigers and two cubs for release into the wild, aiming to boost the population of large predators in Central Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this news prior to his official visit to Kazakhstan.
The tigers, captured in Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory in the Far East, were transported by plane to Kazakhstan. According to the Kremlin, they will soon be released as part of a program to restore the species.
Kazakhstan is keen on reintroducing tigers to the region
Kazakhstan considers the Amur tiger closely related to the now extinct Caspian tiger, formerly native to the area.
The nation has been pursuing initiatives to reestablish tigers in their natural habitats for years.
This isn’t Russia’s first gesture of this kind. In 2022, Russia sent 30 thoroughbred gray horses to North Korea as relations between the two countries deepened. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a known horse riding enthusiast.
Putin’s visits also serve strategic purposes
While in Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin will also participate in signing an agreement regarding a nuclear project. Discussions on expediting Russian oil transit to China are anticipated.
Illustrative photo: pexels-marcus-80608062-30730863
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