Wildlife

First-Ever Melanistic Tiger Safari In Odisha’s Similipal Gets Central Zoo Authority’s Nod

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The Central Zoo Authority has granted approval to the proposed melanistic tiger safari — a first of its kind in the world — at Similipal Tiger Reserve, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife in Odisha, Susanta Nanda, informed on Monday, coinciding with the International Tiger Day celebration.

The IFS officer stated on X that the safari will come up on 100 acre of land at Manjiapada in Baripada.

In January, the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had unveiled plans for the world’s first melanistic tiger safari near the Similipal, an exclusive habitat for pseudo-melanistic tigers, which have broad black stripes running across their bodies and thicker compared to their counterparts worldwide. The safari was expected to be ready for visitors by October this year.

In a previous post on X, Nanda also mentioned: “Tigers are roaring back in Simlipal Tiger Reserve- the one & the only place in the world to host the famed wild melanistic tigers. Let’s protect our gem. Odisha forests were & is a sink to source populations from MP & Maharashtra.Let’s protect the corridors for them to populate.”

“Odisha forests were & is a sink to source populations from MP & Maharashtra.Let’s protect the corridors for them to populate,” his post on X further read.

“It was widely believed that in 2013 March, one tiger from Satkosia came to Nandankanan Zoo on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in search of a mate. Named Nandan it led a healthy life till few months back. But genetic study now has proved that it was from central Indian landscape,” he added.

The population of royal Bengal tigers has increased to 30 in the past two years in Odisha, according to the first All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE) 2023-24 report by the State forest department. The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2022 report, however, had put the number at 17 and these were largely confined to Similipal Tiger Reserve. A total of 27 adult tigers were camera-trapped in Odisha during the AOTE exercise. These tigers comprise 14 females and 13 males. Proof of another 3 adult tigers was also found in the tiger reserve.

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

KISS-DU Convocation Honours 3 Eminent Personalities; 8 PhD Degrees Awarded

Bhubaneswar: Three eminent personalities were conferred honorary D.Litt degrees for their outstanding academic excellence and…

November 24, 2024

INS Kuthar Visits Odisha’s Gopalpur Port To Promote Awareness On Coastal Security

Berhampur: Indian Navy ship INS Kuthar docked in Gopalpur port in Odisha's Ganjam district with…

November 24, 2024

Attack On Dharmasala MLA In Odisha: BJD, BJP Trade Charges Over Police Action

Jajpur: Ruling BJP and Opposition BJD were engaged in trading charges against each other on…

November 24, 2024

After Jaiswal-Kohli-Bumrah Heroics, Can India Beat Australia By Record Margin In 1st Test?

Perth: It was the perfect day of Test cricket for Team India. The visiting team…

November 24, 2024

Youth Beats Old Mother To Death In Odisha’s Angul

Angul: A youth allegedly beat his old mother to death following an argument over a…

November 24, 2024

Virat Kohli Thanks Anushka After Breaking Century Drought [Watch]; Check His Feats

Perth: He hadn’t scored a Test century for 16 months. His previous 15 Test knocks…

November 24, 2024

BJD’s Minority Cell Stages Protest Against Waqf Bill In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The members of BJD's minority cell staged a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan…

November 24, 2024

System Over Bay Of Bengal To Trigger Rain In Odisha, Push Up Night Temp By 2-4°C

Bhubaneswar: Dense fog reduced visibility in Odisha's Rourkela while moderate fog engulfed Koraput, Bhawanipatna and…

November 24, 2024