World’s 1st Melanistic Tiger Safari Planned in Similipal Gets Central Zoo Authority Nod

Bhubaneswar: The proposed first-of-its-kind melanistic tiger safari at Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha has received approval of the Central Zoo Authority, informed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife in Odisha, Susanta Nanda, on Monday.

It will be a first of its kind melanistic tiger safari in the in the world. The PCCF’s declaration coincided with the International Tiger Day observation.

As per the PCCF’s post on X, this unique tiger safari will be established on 100 acre of land at Manjiapada in Baripada.

Taking to his official X handle, Nanda wrote that Tigers are roaring back in Simlipal Tiger Reserve- the one and the only place in the world to host the famed wild melanistic tigers.

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. These tigers have broad black stripes running across their bodies and are thicker compared to their counterparts worldwide.