Rare wild melanistic tiger poached, skin seized in Odisha’s Similipal

As per estimation, total 13 adult tigers were found to be pseudo-melanistic in Similipal, and no other wild habitat in the world is said to have pseudo-melanistic tigers

At a time when Odisha’s Forest Department and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) are focused on a tiger introduction programme in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) - the State’s largest tiger habitat - to enhance genetic diversity and boost the big cat population, wildlife poachers have been arrested for allegedly hunting a rare melanistic tiger, a species found exclusively in the wilds of Similipal.

“In a major crackdown against hardcore poachers and illegal traders of wild animal articles, the special enforcement wing of Similipal South Wildlife Division has arrested four persons from Tentula and Balighat village of Udala police station limits under Baripada Forest Division and seized a juvenile Tiger skin and nail from their possession,” Prakash Chand Gogineni, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Baripada, and Field Director of STR, said.

Mr. Gogineni said, “the case is under investigation, and other accused linked to the case are absconding. The source of the tiger will be ascertained after arrest of the absconding accused. All accused have been forwarded to the court for remand into judicial custody.”

A sizeable number of tigers in Similipal exhibited pseudo-melanism, characterised by black stripes that were much more pronounced than the typical coloration of a Royal Bengal Tiger. It was largely due to a result of inbreeding. Recently, Zeenat, introduced in Similipal following its import from Maharashtra, had become an interstate affair after the tiger strayed into Jharkhand and West Bengal from STR. It was brought back to following the tranquilisation in West Bengal.

Accused poachers had been identified as Ajambar Naik, Pitambar Naik and Rama Naik from Tentala village, and Bairam Murmu of Balighat village Udala police station in Mayurbhanj district. Now total number of arrests in connection with the tiger poaching has gone up to 10.

“Few months ago, cameras have been installed across the STR with artificial intelligence capabilities. During enforcement, this gang could not be nabbed. We had deployed intelligence to identify poachers. During December, we managed to arrest some members and recovered nail and teeth which could be of either tiger of leopard. But they did not confess to their crime,” STR Director said.

The skin of melanistic tiger was recovered when forest department personnel had raided a few houses in Tentulia village on January 12. “From interrogation we came to know that the tiger died in gun shot in fringe area of Similipal. As per criminals, the tiger was male. But we have sent samples for further confirmation. The age of tiger could be around 18 months,” he informed.

“We are expecting further information if any other criminals were involved in poaching or sale. The AI enabled cameras installed in core area give identity of suspicious people moving around in the forest. The footages were valuable inputs for carrying forward the investigation. We have a Similipal Wildlife Intelligence Network through which they were identified in December last year,” Mr. Gogineni said.

According to the All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE) 2023-24 report, Similipal is home to around 27 tigers and 12 cubs. As per estimation, total 13 adult tigers (seven females and six males) were found to be pseudo-melanistic in Similipal, and no other wild habitat in the world has pseudo-melanistic tigers.

Published - January 15, 2025 10:23 pm IST