Melanistic Tigers of Odisha: The Rare Black Tigers of Similipal Reserve
Every so often, nature surprises us with a spectacle so rare that it feels almost mythical. In the dense forests of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Odisha, such a wonder exists—the melanistic tiger, often called the black tiger. With its striking coat of dark, overlapping stripes, this tiger is unlike any other big cat on Earth. Similipal is the only place in the world where these unique Royal Bengal Tigers roam free, making them a symbol of India’s biodiversity and conservation heritage.