120 Days of Tracking: Capturing the Perfect Tiger Shot for National Geographic

Swift Summary:

• Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha,India,is the unique habitat for tigers with pseudo-melanism-a genetic mutation that gives them wider black stripes.
• National geographic Explorer Prasenjeet Yadav spent 120 days tracking and photographing these rare tigers for the magazine’s October cover story.
• Yadav collaborated with genetic experts, Odisha forest officials, and researchers to understand the phenomenon of pseudo-melanism and successfully overcome challenges in photographing these skittish animals.
• His efforts included deploying over 12 camera traps, strategically repositioned based on tiger movements to adapt to their environmental sensitivity.
• Support from a local field expert, Raghu Purti, the Wildlife Institute of India team, and National geographic engineers was instrumental in completing this project.
• Yadav’s persistence led to capturing a direct photo of a black tiger late into his assignment; this iconic image now graces National Geographic‘s October cover.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
Similipal’s unique tigers not only showcase India’s rich biodiversity but also underline its global significance as a hub for genetic research.The collaborative approach-combining science with conservation photography-is commendable as it brings attention to an underrepresented reserve while fostering local forest expertise like Raghu Purti’s. While such intensive documentation raises awareness about rare wildlife phenomena like pseudo-melanism, it also emphasizes the need for systemic protection and deeper scientific inquiry into isolated ecosystems. This spotlight could inspire further exploration across India’s reserves facing ecological challenges similar to Similipal.Read More