A rare glimpse of nature’s untamed spirit was captured in breathtaking footage as a young male Amur tiger, one of the rarest tigers in the world, was set free in Russia’s Far East.
The video reveals the raw power and determination of the big cat as it bounds from its cage into the wilderness, not looking back.
This three-year-old tiger, known as Uporny (meaning “stubborn” in Russian), was deemed a “conflict tiger” after being found in an area with limited prey, posing a potential threat to humans.
Instead of a future in captivity, the Russian government, in collaboration with the WWF and the Amur Tiger Center, gave him a second chance.
Only about 450 Amur tigers remain in the wild, mostly in Russia’s Primorski and Khabarovski provinces, with some in China and possibly North Korea.
The footage shows Uporny’s tense moments before his release. Initially growling and eyeing his surroundings cautiously, the tiger hesitated at the open door.
But in an instant, he made a powerful leap into the forest, vanishing into the foliage with no hesitation.
Captured in the Khabarovsky province after preying on dogs, Uporny was seen as a potential danger to people.
To ensure his future in the wild, he was transferred to the Utyos Rehabilitation Center, where veterinarians examined his health, teeth, and hunting skills.
Uporny was also vaccinated to protect him from common diseases before being deemed ready for release.
Equipped with a lightweight radio collar, Uporny’s movements will be tracked by GPS to monitor his adaptation to his new environment.
Experts will also monitor his location and eating habits through ground tracking and camera traps once the collar naturally detaches.
Uporny was released in a remote mountainous region near Anyuisky National Park, a designated tiger recovery area.
This location provides abundant prey and is free from other territorial male tigers, offering an ideal habitat for the young predator.
Adding to the optimism, a female Amur tiger has been spotted nearby, raising hopes that Uporny may contribute to the recovery of the species in Russia.
Rebecca May, Asia Regional Manager at WWF-UK, praised the efforts behind Uporny’s release, saying, “This is a rare and extraordinary moment—watching a strong, healthy tiger return to the wild where it belongs. It required immense teamwork and expertise, especially from our colleagues at WWF Russia. We wish him the best in his new life.”
Uporny’s journey back to the wild offers hope for the future of this critically endangered species, highlighting the tireless efforts of conservationists working to preserve the majestic Amur tiger.
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