A rare golden tiger was recently spotted in Kaziranga National Park, Assam. Captured by renowned wildlife photographer Sudhir Shivaram, the photos show the elusive tiger shimmering in shades of gold and cream, a striking departure from the traditional orange-and-black stripes of its Bengal cousins.

This golden tiger, which has a shiny coat and faded stripes, is not a separate species but a rare colour variant caused by a genetic mutation. First officially recorded in India in 2014, only a handful have ever been seen—making each sighting a moment of wonder for conservationists and wildlife lovers alike. Only a handful of tigers are known to exist like this in the wild.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and his family recently visited the park and went on a Jeep safari. Their adventure reportedly included encounters with the golden tiger, along with other majestic animals like the Bengal tiger and the Indian rhinoceros.

Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is already world-famous for its dense population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros and a rich variety of birdlife. But spotting a golden tiger here takes the magic to another level. Thick forests and tall grasses make tiger sightings tough, making these new images even more special.

(With inputs from multiple news reports)