Indian Government Confirms Rare Population Of 10 Black Tigers Exclusively In Odisha’s Similipal Reserve

In a recent parliamentary update, the Indian government revealed an exclusive population of 10 “melanistic tigers” or “black tigers” residing solely in Odisha’s Similipal, as conveyed by Union Minister Ashiwini Kumar Choubey to the Rajya Sabha. The Similipal Tiger Reserve, boasting 16 tigers in total, with 10 showcasing melanism, has been recognized as a distinctive conservation cluster due to its unique genetic composition.

The 2022 pan-India tiger estimation exercise pinpointed the prevalence of melanism in Similipal. Minister Choubey emphasized the reserve’s distinction and its identification as a vital conservation zone.

Over the past five years, Similipal Tiger Reserve received ₹32.75 crore in financial support under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme. This funding has been allocated for diverse purposes, including wildlife conservation, habitat management, human resource development, and infrastructure enhancement.

A pivotal 2021 study led by ecologist Uma Ramakrishnan and Vinay Sagar from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore delved into the genetic basis of the distinct coat coloration observed in Similipal tigers. The study revealed a single mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene responsible for the dark appearance of these wild cats. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in September 2021, the study highlighted that Similipal tigers constitute an isolated population in eastern India, with limited gene flow to other tiger populations.

The researchers raised a critical concern about the vulnerability of such isolated and inbred tiger populations to extinction, even over short periods. This underscores significant implications for tiger conservation efforts, urging a focused and strategic approach to safeguard these unique and at-risk populations in Similipal Tiger Reserve.