After 120 days of perseverance in Odisha’s Similipal forests, photographer Prasenjeet Yadav has captured the elusive black tiger on his camera trap

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After 120 days of perseverance in Odisha’s Similipal forests, photographer Prasenjeet Yadav has captured the elusive black tiger on his camera trap.

This rare frame, shaped by science, patience, and storytelling, has made history by appearing on the October 2025 cover of National Geographic — the first time a black tiger has been featured.

The black tiger of Similipal is not only a marvel of nature but also a reminder of fragility and resilience. It speaks of what we may lose if we neglect conservation, and of the wonders that survive when forests are protected.

“Twelve years ago, I dreamt of telling this story. Today, that dream is on the cover of National Geographic,” Yadav reflects.

A proud moment for India, for conservation, and for the enduring magic of the wild.

— Venkataramanan Ramasethu
26 September 2025

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