Bhubaneswar: A striking video of a rare melanistic tiger, captured with a DSLR camera, has gone viral, offering a rare glimpse of this elusive big cat roaming freely in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The footage, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda, has left viewers amazed and captivated.
The video, which highlights one of nature’s most unique wonders—the melanistic tiger—has garnered widespread attention from wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Within just eight hours of being uploaded, it has amassed nearly 26,000 views, over 900 likes, 148 reposts, and 21 comments.
Here you are seeing the first video of the melanistic tiger from Simlipal Tiger taken in DSLR camera with natures music in the background 💕 pic.twitter.com/yCUenH9Sau
— Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) October 4, 2024
Melanistic tigers are distinguished by their unusually high levels of melanin, giving them a darker, almost black appearance, with thick, dark stripes that can look completely black under certain lighting conditions. These tigers are an extremely rare variant of the species, and Similipal Tiger Reserve is the only known place in the world where they can be spotted.
The video not only showcases the breathtaking beauty of the melanistic tiger but also sheds light on the elusive lives of these rare animals. It serves as a significant contribution to wildlife documentation, reminding us of the incredible biodiversity that exists within India’s forests and emphasizing the need to continue conservation efforts for such endangered species.
As this video continues to captivate the online community, it also brings renewed awareness to the importance of wildlife conservation and the preservation of natural habitats for future generations.
In a related development, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Odisha government are preparing to open the world’s first melanistic tiger safari in Baripada, along NH-18. The safari is expected to open for visitors by the end of this year.
Melanistic tigers were first reported in Similipal in 2007. In 2016, a census conducted by the Odisha Forest Department recorded six melanistic tigers in the reserve.
