Odisha’s melanistic tiger safari, announced by Naveen Patnaik, may open in Oct

Odisha’s Simlipal Tiger Reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world with melanistic tigers, which have broad black stripes running across their bodies

Published on: Jan 24, 2024, 21:07:58 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha will soon have a melanistic tiger safari near the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said on Wednesday.

The NTCA in 2020 asked Odisha to start the melanistic tiger safari on the fringe of the tiger reserve (X/Naveen_Odisha)

“Glad to announce that Odisha is setting up an exclusive Melanistic Tiger Safari near Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district. Tourists and visitors can now have a glimpse of the rare and majestic species found only in Odisha,” said Patnaik

Odisha’s Simlipal Tiger Reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world with melanistic tigers, which have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker than those seen on normal tigers, so much so that their tawny skin colour is barely visible.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda said the safari will one-of-its-kind facility.

Nanda said the melanistic tiger safari will come up on around 200 hectares (2 sqkm) near Similipal for which the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given the required approval in this regard.

“The project is likely to be opened for visitors in October this year. The forest department will shift three melanistic or black tigers and two other big cats from Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar to the safari near Similipal. The black tigers born through captive breeding will be kept at the safari,” said Nanda.

Officials said tigers from Nandankanan Zoo and tigers who are not fit for wild shall be moved to the safari in an open enclosure.

According to the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, 10 of the 16 tigers recorded in Similipal melanistic.

The reserve first reported the presence of melanistic tigers in 2007.

Two and half years ago, researchers, including scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru said that a single mutation in the gene Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) caused the tigers to develop black stripes and a distinct pattern.

During the study, the researchers identified a genetic variant that causes a or observable trait change (called phenotype) in tigers. The genetic analysis of other tiger populations in the country and computer simulations suggested that the melanistic tigers in Similipal may have arisen from a very small founding population of tigers and are inbred.

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