The tracks of two male tigers were spotted near the home range of Ilona the tigress in the Khingan Nature Reserve. The analysis of biological materials collected by the tracks, conducted at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, showed that one of the males is the son of Zolushka the tigress from the Bastak Nature Reserve in the Jewish Autonomous Region.

Specialists note that the proximity of the tigers to Ilona means that she wants to start a family. Ilona stayed single since she was released into the wild. At the moment, she is about five years old. Russian President Vladimir Putin helped release Ilona and cubs Kuzya and Borya in 2014.