In a rare sighting, a majestic black tiger was spotted in Odisha’s Similipal National Park according to India Times.
The tiger was seen marking its territory, leaving scratch marks on a tree in the 15-second clip posted on Twitter on the occasion of International Tigers Day. The clip was posted by Indian Forest Service Officer Susanta Nanda. He wrote in the caption, “Sharing an interesting clip of a rare melanistic tiger marking its territory on international Tigers day.”
I was blown away at this news.
You can see an image from the photo in this screen shot from the man who captured the video footage’s Twitter account.
I’m grateful for him sharing this with the world and making tiger issues more known to the public. You can see more of his posts on Twitter here.
Tiger color phases have intrigued me for years since my friend renown wildlife artist Bill Rebsamen showed me prints he did of both a melanistic (black) tiger and a blue tiger. We’ll get to the blue in another story later this fall.
You can get custom work done from Bill Rebsamen. Click here to check out this website.
This tiger isn’t fully melanistic but it’s the first image captured like this for years-at least that I am aware of.
It’s interesting this video comes as India’s tiger population is on the rise. Much work has been done with habitat connectivity with neighboring countries and overall protection from poaching.
Will increasing numbers mean we see more of these and other color phases?
It’s fascinating and as a big fan of this species I’m excited.
Dark Outdoors Podcast; Shark Numbers Rising! New Tech To Deter Shark Attacks
In episode four of Dark Outdoors, host Chester Moore digs deep into the rising shark numbers in the Gulf of Mexico, shark attacks and shark deterrent technology.
You can listen to the episode here.
Learn the following:
*Which shark species are on the rise and how sharks are a vital part of the ecosystem
*The truth about the bull shark’s attitude
*Which species never gets mentioned on top shark attacks list, but is really just below the bull shark.
*What caused a massive great white to turn away when encountering a surfer.
*How Shark Banz is giving many more confidence in shark infested waters.
Plus much, much more
Dark Outdoors is brought to you by the following:
*Texas Frightmare Weekend, The Southwest’s Premier Horror Convention and Film Festival.
*Hog Hunt USA-A Forthcoming App For Hog Hunting
*Texas Fish & Game magazine
Searching For TX Hill Country Elk
In an article at Texas Fish & Game last week, I discussed the history of elk in East Texas and put the word out for photos and accounts of elk in that region.
This week we’re looking at elk in the Hill Country.
A study by Richardson B. Gill, Christopher Gill, Reeda Peel, and Javier Vasquez gives a deep look at Texas elk history, including in the Panhandle and Hill Country.
The earliest recorded sighting of elk in Texas occurred in 1601 according to the authors. The Spanish governor of New Mexico, don Juan de Oñate, embarked on an exploration of lands to the northeast of Santa Fe.
“This river [the Canadian] is thickly covered on all sides with these cattle [bison] and with another not less wonderful, consisting of deer which are as large as large horses. They travel in droves of two and three hundred and their deformity causes one to wonder whether they are deer or some other animal.”
Translation: Elk.
You can read the full article at Texas Fish & Game here.
I’m looking for photographic evidence of free-ranging elk in the Texas Hill Country. If you have photos email chester@chestermoore.com.
Wild Sheep Foundation Providing $1.22 Million In Grants
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Board of Directors has approved funding for its FY2022-23 slate of Grant-in-Aid projects.
WSF will be contributing $1,222,637.00 toward 14 projects that in total will exceed $5 million to benefit wild sheep populations across North America. This Conservation Grant funding is one component of the expected $6 Million in mission program funding WSF will direct this fiscal year.
“As the trusted facilitator for raising and directing funds for wild sheep conservation, we receive a number of grant requests,” explained Gray N. Thornton, President, and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation.
“This means a lot of agencies, universities, individuals, and other conservation partners are focusing on wild sheep, which is a good thing. We’re excited about this level of commitment and the quality of projects these experts have identified and brought forth.”
The project submission period was July 2022. WSF’s Conservation Staff conducted the initial review of funding requests received, followed by an independent review by WSF’s Professional Resource Advisory Board.
Final funding recommendations were made to the WSF Board of Directors, giving special consideration to funding requests submitted by or through its network of 36 Chapters and Affiliates.
Funding was awarded to a diversity of projects spanning from British Columbia to Mexico, focusing on:
• Population Restoration – Trap & Transplants, GPS Radio Collaring
• Habitat Enhancement – Water Development, Prescribed Burns
• Disease Management – Test & Remove, Pathogen Surveillance
“This level of funding would not be possible without the unwavering generosity of our membership, industry partners, Chapters and Affiliates, and other wild sheep enthusiasts,” Thornton concluded.
Over the past ten years WSF has invested over $50 million in wild sheep conservation funding.
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