A photographer captured images of two adult male black tigers displaying a rare pseudo-melanism condition in Nandankanan National Park from a distance of just 10 meters.
The rare black tigers with unusual fur due to pseudo-melanism. (Photo: Satya Swagat)
Black tigers are found only in the state of Odisha, and experts indicate that there are only 7 to 8 remaining in the area. The distinctive coloration of black tigers is due to a genetic mutation known as pseudo-melanism, where the dark stripes blend into the bright orange fur, making the coat appear entirely black. Amateur photographer Satya Swagat captured images of these two rare male tigers in November of last year at Nandankanan National Park.
Swagat had heard from friends who had visited the national park about the black tigers. “Not many people have seen black tigers in the wild up close. I had the chance to photograph one in 2020, but none of the photos turned out well. However, my experience in November 2021 was different. I managed to photograph not just one but two different individuals,” Swagat shared.
Black tigers are extremely rare, even when the wild tiger population was abundant in India centuries ago. Last September, researchers examined the black tigers in the Similipal Reserve and discovered that the genetic mutation they exhibited was a result of inbreeding and limited interaction with other species outside the state of Odisha in eastern India.
The research team combined genetic analysis of various tiger populations from India with computer simulation data. They found that the Similipal black tigers originated from a very small tiger population and were a result of inbreeding.
