09/28/2025
A black tiger stepped out of the shadows, and scientists finally managed to see it.
It happened in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha, India. Scientists found a Bengal tiger with dark, heavy stripes that blur together, making the coat look almost black.
This is a pseudo-melanistic tiger, not a separate species. The stripes are widened and closely spaced, so the animal looks darker than usual.
The spotting feels rare because it is. Similipal is one of the only places on Earth where you can see this pattern in the wild.
Scientists say the look comes from a genetic mutation. In a small, isolated population, that trait can appear more often than you would expect.
Seeing a tiger like this is more than a wow moment. It is a reminder to protect the forest, keep corridors open, and let tigers move and mix. Beauty is a signal. It tells us what the ecosystem needs to stay healthy.
References
Tracking a rare tiger for 120 days to get the perfect cover shot - National Geographic
The curious case of the tigers who changed their stripes - National Geographic
High frequency of an otherwise rare phenotype in a small and isolated tiger population - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Three melanistic tiger cubs born in Similipal - The Times of India
Growing concern over Similipal's pseudo-black tigers - The New Indian Express
Disclaimer: Images are generated using AI for illustration purposes only.