National Geographic has released a major cover story on the pseudomelanistic tigers of Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha. Spanning 19 pages, this in-depth feature by NatGeo photographer Prasenjeet Yadav offers a rare look at what it takes to rescue isolated wildlife populations on the brink.
In Similipal, about half the tigers exhibit pseudo-melanism—a rare genetic mutation that gives them unusually dark coats with broad black stripes. This striking appearance is a symptom of inbreeding, a result of the reserve’s isolation from other tiger habitats by human-dominated landscapes, which has severed natural corridors for movement and gene flow. While India’s tiger population has rebounded from near extinction through decades of conservation efforts under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Similipal’s recovery conceals a looming genetic crisis: isolated “tiger islands” like this one risk genetic collapse.
The story highlights the work of NCBS scientist Prof. Uma Ramakrishnan, whose pioneering research on the mutation load in these black tigers is guiding efforts to diversify their gene pool and secure the future of India’s wild tigers. This extraordinary account of science, persistence, and hope is brought to life by Prasenjeet Yadav, whose remarkable photography and powerful storytelling vividly capture the quest to save Similipal’s tigers from genetic collapse.
Read the story here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/similipal-black-tiger...
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