Odisha: Rare melanistic tiger found dead in Similipal; officials suspect infighting

Simlipal tiger reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world to have melanistic tigers that have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker than those seen in normal tigers

Updated on: May 1, 2023, 16:57:08 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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A rare melanistic tiger succumbed to its injuries in the core area of Similipal tiger reserve of Odisha after it reportedly fought with another tiger.

Primary inquiry confirms multiple injury marks on the carcass of the tiger. (HT photo)

Odisha principal chief conservator of forest(wildlife) Sushil Kumar Popli said the carcass of the 3.5 year-old tiger was found by the tiger reserve officials on Monday.

“Though the exact reason behind the death of the Royal Bengal Tiger has not been not ascertained immediately, prima facie, it appears that the tiger had died due to suspected infighting. Tigers usually move around and decide their territory. So, we suspect two male tigers fought with each other over their territory and one of them died in the process. Primary inquiry confirms multiple injury marks on the carcass of the tiger. A joint task force visited the area to collect evidence and find out the reason behind the tiger’s death,” said Popli, adding that they are waiting for the post-mortem reports.

The PCCF said representatives of National Tiger Conservation Authority have reached the tiger reserve as NTCA protocol demanded that death of a tiger should be reported to it irrespective of its death due to natural causes or other causes like poaching. Based on the evidence, we will take action as per the protocol.”

Simlipal tiger reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world to have melanistic tigers that have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker than those seen in normal tigers, so much so that their tawny skin colour is barely visible. The reserve first reported the presence of melanistic tigers in 2007. In 2016, a census carried out by the Odisha forest department in the reserve found six melanistic tigers.

Three years ago National Tiger Conservation Authority had asked Odisha government to start a melanistic tiger safari on the fringe of the tiger reserve at Simlipal in northern Odisha to create awareness about such tigers while generating enough revenue for tiger conservation in the long term.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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