The Territory of Balkhash

As part of the First International Forum on Tiger Conservation (St. Petersburg, 2010), all range countries agreed to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022 (from a population of about 3,000 individuals). The Government of Kazakhstan officially announced the start of work on the reintroduction of the tiger in the country.



Based on the results of a joint expedition by Kazakhstan, Russia, and Switzerland under the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) project, the most suitable location for the potential restoration of the Turanian tiger in Central Asia was identified as the southern shore of Lake Balkhash, in the area of the Ili River delta and eastward. The population density of the Turanian tiger (according to indirect historical data from hunting success rates and frequency of sightings) was significantly higher than that of the Amur tiger and was closer to that of tigers in India. This suggests the potential to establish a population of at least 100 tigers in the Pribalkhash region—significantly more than most surviving groups today. Thus, the restoration of the tiger in Pribalkhash will make a significant contribution to the Global Tiger Recovery Program.

Research Results

Between 2010 and 2015, leading experts from Kazakhstan, Russia, and other countries, in coordination with the IUCN Cat Specialist Group (International Union for Conservation of Nature), developed the Tiger Reintroduction Program for Kazakhstan. The program outlines three possible sources for the initial population:

• Tigers from the wild;
• Conditioned conflict tigers (wild tigers that, for various reasons, have ended up in rehabilitation centers), as well as tiger cubs adapted to the wild that have been orphaned;
• Tiger cubs adapted to the wild, bred in captivity.

In June 2015, a study was published confirming that all continental tigers belong to a single subspecies, Panthera tigris tigris. This subspecies was included in Kazakhstan’s Red Book in 2021. The names “Amur” and “Turanean” are currently regarded by scientists and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as ecological forms or geographic populations, rather than separate subspecies. Thus, after reintroduction, Amur population tigers relocated to Kazakhstan and establishing a stable population would automatically be considered Turanean tigers by territorial classification.

The tiger reintroduction program has now reached an important milestone with the arrival of Amur tigers from the Netherlands to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. This landmark step brings the program closer to its ultimate goal — restoring the tiger population in its historical habitat.

Arrival of the Tigers

Thanks to years of close cooperation between WWF and Kazakhstan, two Amur tigers have been transported to the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve from the Dutch specialized predator facility Stichting Leeuw, located at Landgoed Hoenderdaell Zoo in the town of Anna Paulowna. This landmark event marks an important step toward restoring the ecosystem and reviving lost biodiversity. The program is being implemented by the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with support from WWF and UNDP in Kazakhstan. Bogdana and Kuma will reside in a specially built WWF enclosure at the Ile-Balkhash Reserve, where they will be bred with the goal of releasing their offspring into the wild.

"Historically, the habitats of the Turan tiger in our country included reed thickets and floodplain (tugai) forests along the banks of the Ili and Syr Darya rivers. In Kazakhstan, direct extermination of the tiger (special hunts involving soldiers and hunting parties began in 1891), along with the destruction of its habitats and food base (tugai deer, goitered gazelles, saiga antelopes, kulans, roe deer, and wild boars), led to its disappearance by 1948 г."

In 2010, the first International Tiger Conservation Forum was held, where Kazakhstan announced its commitment to return tigers to the wild. Seven years later, as a result of the work of scientists from Kazakhstan, Russia, and other countries, a unique Tiger Reintroduction Program was developed. It identified the Ili River Delta and the southern Balkhash region as the most suitable areas for restoring the Turan tiger (the region can support a population of up to 100 tigers). To restore the ecosystem of southern Balkhash, the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve was established, and efforts are underway to rebuild the tiger’s natural prey base. Improving this prey base, combined with the reserve’s remoteness, will help prevent human–tiger conflicts. The first tigers for enclosure breeding have already arrived in Kazakhstan, marking a historic milestone for the country. In 2025, under an agreement with Russia, the arrival of 3–4 tigers from the wild is expected.

“For our country, this is not only an environmentally significant project, but also a symbol of joint efforts to restore our natural heritage,” said Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Their offspring are expected to become wild tigers, reappearing in Kazakhstan for the first time in more than 70 years. These tigers play a crucial role in restoring the population and biodiversity of the region.


"After nearly two decades at WWF, this project is one of the most remarkable I have ever worked on. Who could have imagined something like this 15 years ago, when we had almost lost the tiger in the wild? This project is not just about the impressive work with tigers. Together with our partners, we are not only saving an endangered species but also restoring an entire ecosystem, bringing significant environmental and social benefits to the people living in these areas. The fact that we have reached this point after so many years of effort gives hope for the restoration of nature and endangered species around the world," said WWF Netherlands wildlife expert Gert Polet.

Earlier this summer, with the support of WWF, a Memorandum was signed between the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Dutch Stichting Leeuw Center. The Memorandum provided for the donation of two tigers and their transportation to Kazakhstan for further breeding and the release of their offspring into the wild.

“The Memorandum with the Dutch center marked the beginning of productive joint work on the ambitious goal of breeding tigers in Kazakhstan. It represented an important step in conserving and restoring the country’s biodiversity. Moreover, it serves as an example of successful international cooperation. The steady development of the Ile-Balkhash Reserve, the clear implementation of all plans under the reintroduction program, and the support of international partners create a strong foundation for future environmental initiatives and achievements in nature conservation,” said Daniyar Turgambaev, Chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.



“We strive to ensure that all animals in our center have the best possible future, as close as possible to their natural habitat. For our organization, it is a great dream to contribute to the program of returning tigers to Kazakhstan, where they once lived,” said Robert Kruijff, Director of the Lion Foundation.

This past weekend, accompanied by their permanent caretakers, the tigers were transported to their new home by cargo plane and helicopter in special transport crates. They are now undergoing acclimatization in a small enclosure located at the edge of the protected zone of the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. In a few weeks, they will be released into larger enclosures.

"This landmark and historic event is part of the ambitious program of the Government of Kazakhstan, supported by WWF and UNDP, to restore the Ile-Balkhash Delta ecosystem and reintroduce tigers to the region. In Central Asia, these predators disappeared more than 70 years ago, and now the whole world is witnessing this monumental moment. The relocation of the tigers represents an important step not only toward bringing these big cats back to their historical homeland but also toward restoring a sustainable ecosystem that will benefit both the people and the nature of the country. This project symbolizes global efforts to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance," said Ajay Barai, WWF Regional Director for Europe and North Africa.

The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Netherlands played an active role in supporting the implementation of this large-scale project.