Prasenjeet Yadav’s journey is far from ordinary. He is a trained molecular ecologist and pursued research in molecular ecology for several years at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru. But his deep curiosity about nature pushed him beyond laboratories and into the wild. Trading microscopes for cameras, he became a natural history and science photographer, determined to make complex ecological stories accessible to the world through striking visuals. His science background equips him with rare insight he doesn’t just photograph animals, he understands the delicate ecosystems that sustain them.

The  Simlipal  Challenge

In 2025, Yadav became part of a National Geographic expedition led by Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan to study one of the rarest big cats on Earth the black tiger, or pseudo-melanistic tiger. Marked by distinctive dark, inky stripes caused by a rare genetic mutation, these tigers are found only in Odisha’s Simlipal National Park. The dense sal forests of Simlipal are known for their secrecy, where visibility is limited and even ordinary tiger sightings are rare.

The black tigers proved to be even more elusive. Unlike Bengal tigers elsewhere, which are often curious and unafraid of cameras, the black tigers of Simlipal were unusually shy and highly sensitive to human presence. They consistently avoided Yadav’s camera traps, making them far more difficult to photograph. For Yadav, who had previously endured the Himalayan cliffs in pursuit of snow leopards, tracking these elusive big cats was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

119 Days of Patience and Persistence

Yadav embarked on the mission with confidence, but reality soon tested him. It took him nearly two months of tracking before even catching a glimpse of the elusive tiger. Every sighting felt like a fleeting shadow, gone before he could raise his camera. For 119 days, he braved disappointment, long hours, and the harsh challenges of Simlipal’s forest terrain. Each day was a test of patience, persistence, and humility. Finally, his perseverance paid off he captured the world’s first-ever direct sighting photograph of a black tiger, a moment that would make history.

A National Geographic Cover Moment

The photograph didn’t just make it into the magazine; it graced the cover of National Geographic a rare honor for any photographer, and even rarer for an Indian. The image is both a visual triumph and a scientific milestone, giving the world its first close look at one of the rarest big cats alive. Yadav described the experience as both intense and humbling. Few Indian photographers have earned a National Geographic cover, making this achievement deeply significant not just for him, but for India’s wildlife photography community as a whole.

The Rare Black Tigers of Simlipal

Black tigers, or pseudo-melanistic tigers, are not a separate species but Bengal tigers with a rare genetic mutation that gives them unusually broad, dark stripes. Their only known habitat is Simlipal National Park in Odisha, which is home to around 30 tigers, nearly half of which display this striking coloration. Because of their rarity, every sighting is considered extraordinary, offering scientists valuable opportunities to study genetics, conservation, and the long-term future of tiger populations in India. Capturing one of these elusive creatures on camera in its natural habitat is therefore not just remarkable but truly historic.

Why This Matters for India and the World

India is home to over 70% of the world’s tiger population, making it the global stronghold for tiger conservation. The black tiger of Simlipal is not just a curiosity; it is a symbol of India’s biodiversity and the challenges of preserving it. By putting this image on the global stage, National Geographic has spotlighted not only the uniqueness of  Simlipal but also the urgent need to protect fragile ecosystems and the extraordinary creatures within them. 

For Yadav, the journey was not only about capturing an image but also about rediscovering what it means to be patient, humble, in the face of nature’s challenges. His success reminds us that in the wild, hardwork often leads to the most profound rewards. The photograph of the black tiger is more than just a cover image it is a story of science, art, collaboration, and sheer human determination. It is also a reminder that India’s forests still hold mysteries capable of astonishing the world.