In deepest Siberia, where winds blow cold and poachers reduce wild animals to the brink of extinction, an unlikely tale of tiger romance is warming hearts and reinvigorating faith in species reintroduction.

In Russia’s far east, a young Siberian tiger named Boris was given a second chance at life. Raised in captivity, he was part of a bold experiment to reintroduce these majestic creatures to their historic range.

Boris and Svetlaya were raised together as orphaned cubs, and then reintroduced to the wild separately. But Boris went on a trek that surprised researchers.

Two Siberian tigers, Boris and Svetlaya, reunited after being released separately into the wild. Vast distances could not keep them apart.