In the frigid forests of Siberia, a story worthy of a Disney adaptation is unfolding. Boris and Svetlaya, two orphaned Amur tigers, have defied the odds and showed tremendous resilience after being reintroduced into the wild. They not only survived their release into the wild but also found each other against all expectations, sparking hope for the future of their critically endangered species.

Boris and Svetlaya’s story begins in the rugged Sikhote-Alin mountains, where most Amur tigers live. Orphaned as cubs in 2014, they were rescued by conservationists and brought to a specialized rehabilitation program. There, they were trained to live as wild tigers, free from human dependence. At 18 months old, the two were released back into the wild, over 100 miles apart, to maximize their species’ range.

Rehabilitation is essential for the species. The Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger, once roamed across vast stretches of northeastern Asia. However, habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict have pushed them to the brink of extinction. Today, less than 500 tigers remain in Russia, occupying just 8% of their historical range.

Poaching is the biggest threat. Mother tigers often fall prey while defending their cubs, leaving orphans like Boris and Svetlaya to fend for themselves. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) estimates that over 270,000 square miles of the tigers’ former habitat are now devoid of these majestic cats. Yet, scientists believe these areas could be repopulated under the right conditions.

But, if they’d be given a chance, the tigers can bounce back.

Stunning travels

Boris and Svetlaya’s comeback story starts with a carefully designed rehabilitation program. The program, run by the WCS, was designed to prepare orphaned tigers for life in the wild. It minimizes human contact and emphasizes hunting skills. Cubs are gradually introduced to live prey, starting with domestic rabbits and pheasants before progressing to more challenging animals like wild boar and sika deer.

These “hunting drills” are crucial for the cubs’ survival. Dale Miquelle, director of the WCS in Russia and lead author of a recent study on tiger rehabilitation, likened the process to teaching a child to solve puzzles. The effort has paid off: released tigers have shown they can hunt pretty much as effectively as their wild-born counterparts. But doing it in a rehabilitation program and doing it in the wild are two very different things. For instance, one tiger, unable to adapt, crossed into China and began preying on domestic goats. Scientists recaptured him and placed him in a captive-breeding program. This allows the tiger to survive and play a useful role for his species, but he cannot be released into the wild.

But Boris and Svetlaya made it.

They adapted to the wild and started hunting successfully. Furthermore, after traveling 120 miles in the frigid Siberian expanse, they reconnected and mated. They produced at least six litters of cubs in the wild.

Tigers are resilient, but they need a chance

This is exciting news for the tiger conservation program, but it’s not like the original problems have disappeared. Habitat destruction continues to threaten the Amur tiger’s survival, as logging and development encroach on their territory. Poaching is just as persistent, driven by the demand for tiger parts in traditional medicine and trophy hunting.

Conservationists emphasize the need for stronger enforcement of anti-poaching laws, as well as greater international cooperation to protect tiger habitats. They also advocate for public awareness campaigns to reduce demand for illegal tiger products and support sustainable land-use practices. If we want to save Amur tigers from extinction, we need to address these issues.

Yet Boris and Svetlaya have proven that even in the harshest environments, survival can triumph. Their tale is a testament to resilience—of individual animals and of an entire species fighting its way back from the brink.