For most Bengalis, the word “tiger” brings to mind the iconic yellow-and-black striped Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sundarbans. Though fewer in number, white tigers also exist in India. However, very few people know about black tigers. And it’s no surprise—these tigers are extremely rare. Recently, one such black tiger was found in Odisha. Sadly, it was discovered dead.

On the morning of April 30, the carcass of a rare black tiger was found in the Nawana South Range of Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district. Officials at the park suspect the tiger died due to a fight with another tiger. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests at the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), Sushil Kumar Popli, confirmed the tiger’s death.

He stated that the tiger was identified as T27 and was 3.5 years old. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has already been informed of the incident. A park official said the body was found intact and that samples will be sent to the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and the Wildlife Institute of India for analysis.

Based on initial examination of the injuries, it is suspected that the tiger died after a territorial fight with another male tiger in the jungle. However, officials have said that the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after test results come in. They also confirmed that the body was cremated after the post-mortem.

Similipal is the only habitat in the world where this rare black tiger is found. STR was declared one of India’s first nine tiger reserves in 1973. It is the second-largest biosphere reserve in Asia and is listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.