Rare golden tiger snapped in Kaziranga

Subject: Environment

Section: Protected Area

Context:

Gaurav Ramnarayanan, a wildlife photographer from Coimbatore, captured a rare golden tiger in Kaziranga National Park on January 24.

About Genetic Study by Researchers:

The golden appearance results from a genetic variant or mutation, with the absence of black pigmentation and faded orange colour.

About Golden Tiger (Kazi 106 F)

Kazi 106 F Golden Tiger, a tigress in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, is also known as the ‘Tabby tiger’ or ‘Strawberry tiger.’
Tigers typically have orange-yellow skin with black stripes and a whitish abdominal region.
The tigress’s colour variation is influenced by agouti and tabby genes, which control the yellow background and black stripes respectively, affecting the expression of pigments in her fur.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, India, spans Golaghat and Nagoan districts.
Established in 1904, it gained National Park status in 1974 and was designated as a tiger reserve in 2007.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Kaziranga is situated along the Brahmaputra River.
Designated an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International, the park hosts various migratory and resident bird species.
Renowned for its ‘big four’ species—Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, and Asiatic Water Buffalo.