Baripada, July 29: Odisha will soon to have a melanistic tiger safari near the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The Central Zoo authority has granted permission for the safari, informed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sushant Nanda today.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved a new safari near Odisha's Simlipal Tiger Reserve, located 10 kilometers from Baripada in the 100-acre Manchiapada region. Simlipal is globally unique for its melanistic tigers, characterized by dense black stripes that almost obscure their tawny skin. According to the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, 10 out of 16 tigers in Simlipal exhibit this rare trait.
First documented in 2007, melanistic tigers result from a genetic mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene, altering their stripe pattern. Research, including studies by scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, suggests these tigers may have descended from a small, inbred founding population.
As Odisha ventures into this groundbreaking endeavor, the black tiger safari not only represents a milestone in wildlife tourism but will also serve as a guide for conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of protecting and celebrating the diverse and unique wildlife that graces the region.
