A lucky photographer captured an incredible image of a rare black tiger, a species with only six known individuals existing in the wild.
A photographer captured a rare black tiger in Eastern Odisha.
A remarkably rare black tiger has been photographed in India, delighting animal lovers.
This unique predator is one of only six known to exist in the wild. Amateur photographer Soumen Bajpayee captured images of this melanistic tiger in eastern Odisha.
A rare back tiger was spotted with the black’s thick black stripes obscure its orange fur.
This rare color variation is due to a genetic mutation. Experts believe there are only seven to eight melanistic tigers remaining in Odisha.
Soumen Bajpayee expressed shock after capturing a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Soumen Bajpayee expressed his astonishment at witnessing the rare creature. He initially ventured into the nature reserve to observe monkeys and tigers. He felt “fortunate” and “grateful” to encounter such an extraordinary sight.
He said: “I was surprised and felt fortunate to have seen the tiger.
“[At the time] I didn’t have any idea about melanistic tigers.
“Then suddenly it appeared from the woods, stayed for few seconds and walked back behind the trees.”
The tiger briefly emerged from the woods before disappearing again.
Bajpayee, who holds a Master’s in Technology from Kolkata, was new to photography when he captured the moment.
He noted that previous sightings of black tigers in the Nandankanan Reserve were made solely through camera traps.
“I was extremely grateful to see it, even for just a few seconds,” he added. Initially, he was so bewildered that he didn’t realize what he had witnessed.
“I had seen many tigers before, but this one was entirely different,” he explained.
The melanistic tiger can only be found in Odisha, India.
The species has been on the brink of extinction for years. The latest Tiger Census Report from 2018 indicates a drastic decline in their numbers.
Most of these rare tigers inhabit the Simlipal Tiger Reserve. This reserve first reported melanistic tigers in 2007.
Dr. Bivash Pandav, a wildlife expert from the Wildlife Institute of India, stated there are only seven to eight black tigers left in the region.
The rare black tiger has raised concerns about conservation
Currently, the six known black tigers reside in Odisha, specifically within the Simlipal Reserve and Nandankanan Sanctuary. Soumen hopes these tigers will mate and produce more melanistic cubs.
Earlier this year, a rare black leopard was also spotted during a safari in India. Wildlife experts regard black tigers as unique due to their genetic makeup, which is believed to result from inbreeding.
These black tigers are smaller than their more common counterparts and were first documented in India in 1990. They thrive in Odisha’s vast forests and diverse habitats.
However, poaching has significantly impacted the entire tiger population. Tigers are hunted for their bones, claws, skin, and whiskers.
The forest department in Odisha argues that the real issue isn’t poaching, but rather the rising human population. Increased urbanization is shrinking the habitats available for tigers to live and breed, as reported by NDTV.
The sighting of this rare black tiger shows the ongoing challenges faced by these magnificent creatures.
Therefore, conservation efforts are essential to ensure the survival of not only the melanistic tiger but also the entire tiger population in India.
