A video shared by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda on the social media platform X has sparked widespread discussion among wildlife enthusiasts and researchers. The video features rare black tigers roaming in the forests of Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve, showcasing their unique dark stripe patterns.
According to the accompanying details, Similipal is an isolated tiger population with poor connectivity to other habitats, leading to inbreeding and genetic drift. This allows rare recessive mutations in coat colors and patterns to manifest.
Wildlife experts note that due to the small founder population, mutation rates are higher here, making Similipal the only known home to pseudo-melanistic tigers in the world. While they belong to the Bengal tiger subspecies, their distinctive appearance makes them a subject of immense scientific interest.
Social media users have expressed awe and curiosity over the footage, while conservationists continue to debate the long-term implications of genetic isolation on the health of the population.
