Caught on Cam: Rare melanistic tiger enjoying its kill in Odisha’s Similipal Reserve Forest

Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district is attracting widespread attention for its pseudo-melanistic tiger population. The frequent sighting of extraordinarily rare tigers with distinctive dark stripe patterns on their skin has left wildlife and animal lovers delighted.

A few weeks after four rare pseudo-melanistic tigers were caught on camera, another clip of a tiger enjoying its kill has now gone viral on social media. The viral video shows the rare tiger dragging its Sambar kill.

The official X page of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha shared the video and wrote, “A Pseudo Melanistic Tiger dragging Sambar kill. Tigers drag their kill to hide from scavengers and other predators. Male Sambars can weigh between 225 Kg and 320 Kg.”

A Pseudo Melanistic Tiger dragging Sambar kill. Tigers drag their kill to hide from scavengers and other predators. Male Sambars can weigh between 225 Kg and 320 Kg. #SimilipalTigerReserve @ntca_india @ForestDeptt @susantananda3 @pccfodisha pic.twitter.com/Xb1vnXSkLS

— Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha (@Similipal_South) February 2, 2024

Hidden cameras installed by the forest department captured the stunning view of the rare tigers. Animal lovers were delighted after IFS officer Susanta Nanda shared the video online. Social media users are in love with the sight as the video has been gaining a lot of traction online.

“It's amazing to witness such beauty at STR 😍😍😍,” commented an animal lover.

Another user wrote, “Thanks for the rarest clip.”

For the unversed, the melanistic tigers are a rare gene pool on which the black stripes are far more prominent than the Royal Bengal Tigers. Interestingly, they are only found in Odisha. They are referred to as ‘black tigers’ due to their dense and dark stripes.