Siberian tiger journeys 200 km through Russian wilderness to reunite with former mate | Trending

In a heartwarming turn of events, two Amur tigers, Boris and Svetlaya, have been reunited in the wilds of Russia, defying the odds after being separated for nearly 200 kilometres. This remarkable story of love and resilience is offering new hope for the conservation of these endangered big cats. Two Siberian tigers reunited in the wild after being separated(X/@supriyasahuias) (Also read: Heartwarming animal-human bond: Tiger acts like a puppy over food made its owner. Watch) A journey of love and survivalRescued as orphaned cubs from the Sikhote-Alin mountains in 2012, Boris and Svetlaya were raised together in a special conservation programme, designed to limit human interaction. The objective was to prepare them for life in the wild, with plans to release them into their natural habitat at 18 months old. This goal was successfully achieved in 2014 in the Pri-Amur region, a critical area for the survival of the Amur tiger, as reported The New York Times. Boris’s determined journeyIn an effort to expand their population, Boris and Svetlaya were initially separated hundreds of kilometres as part of a larger conservation strategy. However, conservations soon noticed something unusual about Boris’s behaviour. Unlike most tigers, who tend to stay within specific territories, Boris embarked on a remarkable journey. Over the course of nearly three years, he travelled a staggering 200 km in a straight line, eventually making his way back to Svetlaya. The pair were reunited, much to the delight of the conservation community. A new chapter for tiger conservationTheir reunion marked a new chapter for the couple, and six months later, they welcomed a litter of cubs, further bolstering hope for the future of the Amur tiger species. This development is seen as a positive sign for ongoing tiger repopulation efforts, with experts expressing optimism that the bond between Boris and Svetlaya could provide valuable insights into successful conservation practices. “The data demonstrated that orphaned cubs, raised in captivity and released, were just as effective as wild tigers at hunting, targeting the same prey and rarely killing livestock,” explained Dale Miquelle, lead author from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). “This success shows that tigers, if given the proper isolation from humans and the chance to learn to hunt, can be successfully re-released into the wild.” (Also read: Ranthambore tours under fire for capturing video of tiger hunting deer from alarming dance) A critical time for Siberian tigersThe Siberian tiger, or Amur tiger, is an iconic and powerful species native to the Russian Far East. However, due to threats like habitat loss, poaching, and human-tiger conflicts, these magnificent creatures are led as Endangered on the IUCN Red L. The success of Boris and Svetlaya offers a glimmer of hope that with careful planning and dedication, the future of the Amur tiger can be secured.