Named Umit – the Kazakh word for "hope" – the female Amur tiger has become the face of one of Kazakhstan's most ambitious wildlife conservation projects. Scientists hope Amur tigers will restore a wild tiger population to Central Asia, where the species disappeared more than 70 years ago.
One of four Amur tigers brought to Kazakhstan from Russia in May, Umit is the first to be released into the wild in the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve.
Before her release, Umit spent two months under close observation as wildlife experts assessed her health, behaviour and hunting skills to determine whether she could live independently in the wild.
The adult male tiger remains under close observation as experts continue to assess whether he is ready for release.
Meanwhile, the two cubs, which arrived in Kazakhstan at the age of six months, will remain under the care of wildlife experts until they reach 18 months old.
