At the end of last century, India’s tigers were on the brink of extinction. Slowly, their numbers have rebounded. But that ecological success has prompted a new problem in India’s Similipal Tiger reserve. Our October 2025 cover story dives into the rare genetic mutation known as pseudo-melanism which is carried by nearly half the tigers of Similipal and has left them with distinctly dark coats. While the mutation itself is harmless, its rapid spread indicates a limited gene pool. To secure the future of these big cats, conservationists are in a race to introduce new tigers and help save them from a genetic collapse. Learn how forest managers and scientists are addressing this challenge: https://on.natgeo.com/4ncQrw0
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News to me. Genetic abnormalities like this are often signs of trouble.