Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)

[Rishi]

Black panther spotted in Central India
Visuals of the black panther were obtained following installation of over 200 cameras across the tiger reserve for over 80 days from December 2017 to April 2018.

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RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh forest department officials have confirmed the presence of a black panther at the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Gariyaband district. Forest officials believe this is the first time footage of the rare beast has been captured in central India.

Visuals of the black panther were obtained following the installation of over 200 cameras across the tiger reserve for over 80 days from December 2017 to April 2018. Forest officials took the step after a few guards reportedly caught sight of the animal while on duty.

“Now we have photographic evidence of the black panther,” said chief conservator of forests (wildlife) OP Yadav.

The Udanti-Sitanadi tiger reserve is spread across 1,842.54 square kilometres.

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Although a forest officer reportedly spotted a black panther in the area 24 years ago, no scientific records were found to buttress his claim. Another officer glimpsed a female black panther and two cubs in jungles of Achanakmaar Tiger Reserve in the same state, three years ago, but the authorities were unable to gather any scientific evidence in this regard either.

Black panthers were earlier said to inhabit the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary but never in a Central Indian one! Reply