Odisha to Establish World’s First Black Tiger Safari by Year-End: PCCF

BHUBANESWAR/BARIPADA: Odisha is set to unveil the world’s first melanistic (black) tiger safari near the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district by the end of this year, according to a top forest official.

The state government’s proposal for the safari has received “in-principle” approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and endorsement from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), announced Susanta Nanda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, on Monday.

Initially, the melanistic tigers currently housed at Nandan Kanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar will be relocated to the new safari. The safari will span 200 hectares adjacent to NH-18, providing a vast and natural habitat for the rare tigers.

This groundbreaking initiative is expected to boost wildlife conservation efforts and promote eco-tourism in the region, making Odisha a key destination for wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.