Bhubaneswar, May 1 (). A rare melanistic tiger was found dead in the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. An official gave this information on Monday.
Odisha Forest Department officials suspect that the tiger died due to in-fighting between tigers in their area. However, the exact cause of the tiger’s death is yet to be ascertained.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sushil Kumar Popli told the media that the carcass of the Royal Bengal tiger of melanistic breed was found in the core area of Similipal on Monday morning. The age of the tiger was around 3-3.5 years.
Prima facie, it appears to be the result of a territorial fight between two male tigers, Popli said. There were injury marks on the dead body. Necessary action will be taken on the basis of the postmortem report.
The forest department has informed the National Tiger Conservation Authority about the death.
The black or pseudo-melanistic tiger has a distinctive dark stripe pattern on its body, which is rare. Such tigers have been found only in Similipal.
SGK
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