Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a picture of a rare golden tiger on Thursday, January 25, on X. Taking to the microblogging platform, Sarma revealed that this unique creature was recently spotted in Kaziranga National Park. Sharing the stunning image of the golden tiger with his followers, Sarma captioned it as 'Majestic Beauty!' It's noteworthy that the Assam CM chose to share this captivating photo on the occasion of National Tourism Day 2024, accompanied by the hashtag #NationalTourismDay.
Assam CM Office also shared a picture of a rare golden tiger, “Assam's wildlife never ceases to amaze! A rare golden tiger was recently spotted in Kaziranga National Park taking a stroll. This sighting adds to the list of diverse faunal creatures found in Assam's landscape,” CMO wrote on X.
Kaziranga National Park, situated in the heart of Assam, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and stands as the only known habitat in India for the golden tiger, also known as the strawberry tiger or golden tabby tiger. This Bengal tiger variant possesses a unique golden coat due to a genetic mutation affecting its fur colouration.
With fewer than 30 golden tigers believed to exist worldwide, sightings are exceptionally rare, sparking excitement among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. The park's diverse ecosystem, featuring tall grasslands and dense forests, provides an ideal environment for these tigers, offering ample hiding spots and a robust prey base. The presence of the Brahmaputra River and other water sources further supports the survival and proliferation of these magnificent animals.
Kaziranga National Park holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is a testament to successful conservation efforts. It plays a crucial role in protecting various species, including the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal Tiger. The park's stringent protection measures under Indian wildlife conservation laws have been instrumental in preserving its inhabitants.