The Central Zoo Authority has approved the world’s first melanistic tiger safari at Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha. This announcement was made by Susanta Nanda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife in Odisha, coinciding with the celebration of International Tiger Day. The safari will span 100 acres at Manjiapada in Baripada, marking a significant milestone for wildlife conservation in the region. Susanta Nanda shared this exciting development on social media platform X, highlighting the unique status of Similipal Tiger Reserve as the sole habitat of wild melanistic tigers globally. His post underscored the importance of protecting Odisha’s forests, which serve as crucial corridors for tiger populations migrating from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Nanda’s earlier posts on X emphasized the resurgence of tiger populations in Similipal, noting the critical role of the reserve in hosting these rare melanistic tigers. He called for continued efforts to protect these “gems” and maintain the ecological corridors essential for their survival and expansion. Nanda also recounted a fascinating episode from 2013, when a tiger from Satkosia migrated to Nandankanan Zoo near Bhubaneswar in search of a mate. Named Nandan, this tiger lived healthily for several years. Recent genetic studies have revealed that Nandan originated from the central Indian landscape, providing valuable insights into tiger migration patterns.
The latest data from the first All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE) 2023-24 report indicates a significant increase in the population of Royal Bengal tigers in the state. The report, published by the Odisha State Forest Department, recorded a rise to 30 tigers over the past two years. This is a notable increase from the 17 tigers reported in the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2022, which primarily accounted for tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve. During the AOTE exercise, 27 adult tigers were identified through camera traps, consisting of 14 females and 13 males. Additionally, evidence of three more adult tigers was discovered in the reserve, further highlighting the success of conservation efforts in the region.
The Central Zoo Authority has approved the world’s first melanistic tiger safari at Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha. This announcement was made by Susanta Nanda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife in Odisha, coinciding with the celebration of International Tiger Day. The safari will span 100 acres at Manjiapada in Baripada, marking a significant milestone for wildlife conservation in the region. Susanta Nanda shared this exciting development on social media platform X, highlighting the unique status of Similipal Tiger Reserve as the sole habitat of wild melanistic tigers globally. His post underscored the importance of protecting Odisha’s forests, which serve as crucial corridors for tiger populations migrating from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Nanda’s earlier posts on X emphasized the resurgence of tiger populations in Similipal, noting the critical role of the reserve in hosting these rare melanistic tigers. He called for continued efforts to protect these “gems” and maintain the ecological corridors essential for their survival and expansion. Nanda also recounted a fascinating episode from 2013, when a tiger from Satkosia migrated to Nandankanan Zoo near Bhubaneswar in search of a mate. Named Nandan, this tiger lived healthily for several years. Recent genetic studies have revealed that Nandan originated from the central Indian landscape, providing valuable insights into tiger migration patterns.
The latest data from the first All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE) 2023-24 report indicates a significant increase in the population of Royal Bengal tigers in the state. The report, published by the Odisha State Forest Department, recorded a rise to 30 tigers over the past two years. This is a notable increase from the 17 tigers reported in the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2022, which primarily accounted for tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve. During the AOTE exercise, 27 adult tigers were identified through camera traps, consisting of 14 females and 13 males. Additionally, evidence of three more adult tigers was discovered in the reserve, further highlighting the success of conservation efforts in the region.
