Rare black leopard spotted at Pench Reserve

Staff Reporter :

It is for the first time in the country that claim of spotting a black leopard has been found correct

Pench is the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’ and information of the sighting has triggered memory of Bagheera, a black leopard, who was an intergral part of the book

In a good news for wildlife lovers, the Forest Department has finally spotted a black leopard at Pench Tiger Reserve and released its pictures that were captured through camera traps. This black leopard is one of the three cubs of a female leopard. It may be noted that the rare species of Melanistic leopard, popular by the name of black leopard, was first spotted at the Pench Reserve by tourists on July 27 and then on September 17, 2020. Pench park administration had started a rigorous search for the rare wild animal and finally succeeded in capturing its images through camera trap in last couple of days. Field Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, Vikram Singh Parihar, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, informed that after a month of hectic efforts, they succeeded in spotting the black leopard through camera traps.

“The location of spotting the rare species has not been disclosed for security reasons but we are keeping vigilant eye on movement and some tourists have again spotted the animal at the park a day back.” This is a really good news for the Forest Department, that the rare species of big cat, actually exists in the park area. Parihar further said that this has also helped to increase tourism in the reserve as people are excited to see the melanine leopard. About two months back in September, a rare black leopard was spotted in Cancer Hills area of Gwalior. After an image of the panther was recorded in CCTV footage of a house, the Forest Department formed special teams to locate the species. District Forest Officer (DFO), Abhinav Pallava informed that the leopard was recorded in CCTV footage of a house during night hours.

The house owner discussed about presence of black leopard to his neighbour and then Forest Department was informed. The DFO said a team was sent on the spot to check the issue and samples of the pug marks were taken. It is for the first time in the country that claim of spotting a black leopard has been found correct. The Pench Tiger Reserve is also known as the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s iconic book, ‘Jungle Book’ and information of sighting black leopard is being rapidly spread in memory of the character, Bagheera, a black leopard, who was an integral part of the book. Existence of rare species of black leopard will definitely provide a new attraction for wildlife lovers and attract more tourists at the Pench Tiger Reserve.