MUMBAI: Black is the new roar. India has made global headlines as a rare black tiger from Odisha’s Similipal national park takes centre stage on the cover of National Geographic’s October 2025 edition.
The striking image, captured by Indian photographer and National Geographic explorer Prasenjeet Yadav, shines a spotlight on one of the world’s rarest big cats, and on India’s growing role in wildlife conservation.
Similipal is home to about 30 tigers, nearly half of which carry the rare genetic mutation that gives them their striking pseudo-melanistic coats. Photographing one of these elusive cats, known as T12, was no easy feat. Yadav spent more than three months patiently tracking and observing before capturing the defining moment.
“Being out in the forests of Similipal was intense and humbling,” Yadav reflected. “To see this story now on National Geographic’s cover is both an honour and a reminder of why we document India’s extraordinary wild heart.”
The cover story, praised by Nat Geo editor-in-chief Nathan Lump, goes beyond the image itself. It underscores the importance of genetic diversity, warning that saving animals is just the first step, ensuring their long-term survival demands broader action.
Jiostar’s Alok Jain, who oversees National Geographic in India, added: “This almost mythical sight reflects the power of nature’s mysteries and continues Nat Geo’s legacy of ground breaking storytelling.”
The achievement also highlights the tireless work of the Odisha forest department, scientists, and conservationists working to protect fragile ecosystems. More than a photograph, it is a global reminder of India’s conservation commitment.
With this historic cover, National Geographic not only celebrates the rare black tiger but also elevates India’s role in safeguarding the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife, one frame at a time.