Story and Science Behind Black Tigers of Similipal, Odisha | Public Event

You may have seen the recent National Geographic cover story on India’s wildlife -- the first time a story from the forests of India, written and photographed by an Indian, has been featured on the magazine’s cover! Written and photographed by National Geographic Photographer, Prasenjeet Yadav, the story traces a remarkable journey: from uncovering the genetic basis of this rare mutation in black tigers, to understanding its prevalence in Similipal, and, finally, conservation strategies and their implementation in such small populations. This event, “Story and Science Behind Black Tigers of Similipal, Odisha,” organised by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, on 11 October, brought together scientists, conservationists, and forest officials to explore both the science and the challenges of conserving India’s wildlife. The event featured a talk by Uma Ramakrishnan (NCBS) on the genetics and evolution of black tigers, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Rohini Nilekani (Rohini Nilekani Foundation) that examined the future of Similipal, tiger translocation challenges, biodiversity loss, wildlife corridors, conflict mitigation, and the role of science and media in shaping conservation policy.