Bhubaneswar, Jan 03: A rare melanistic leopard, accompanied by a cub, has been spotted in a forest in Odisha’s Nayagarh district, delighting wildlife enthusiasts, said an official on Friday. The images of the leopard were captured through a camera trap set up in the forest.
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The sighting of this rare melanistic leopard in central Odisha highlights the region’s rich biodiversity.
“A rare melanistic leopard with cub has been sighted in central Odisha, reflecting the region’s incredible biodiversity. These elusive ‘black panthers’ are vital to the ecosystem – protecting their habitat, ensures a thriving wildlife heritage,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha said in a post on X.
The post also featured a video and photo of the leopard.
According to the All Odisha Leopard Estimation-2024, these melanistic leopards are present in three forest divisions across the state.
