Amur tiger cubs transferred by Russia to Kazakhstan will remain in captivity for about another year, until they reach the age of 18 months, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology announced. The tiger cubs arrived in the republic in May at the age of 6-7 months, the ministry said, adding that they continue to grow and develop in specially equipped enclosures at the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve in southern Kazakhstan. "They will remain under the supervision of specialists until they reach the age of 18 months," the ministry stated. Specialists will decide whether each tiger cub can be released into the wild following veterinary examinations and behavioral tests. In May, four Amur tigers were transported from Khabarovsk to the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve.