Govind Tekale
Wildlife officials have made an exciting discovery in the eastern state of Odisha, India—a black leopard and its baby have been spotted in the forests of Nayagarh, Odisha. These special and rare big cats are often called black panthers. During a routine survey, officials were able to catch their movement on camera in the forest.
What sets black panthers apart from a normal leopard is that they have dark fur attributed to their genetics. They’re still leopards, just with black fur instead of the usual spotted coat. These big cats are so rare that they’ve only been spotted in three forests across the entire state.
“A rare melanistic leopard with cubs 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 Progress so Far
Forest officials are using camera traps to take pictures of wildlife without disturbing them. This helps them in doing regular wildlife counts to report in the official census, like the All Odisha Leopard Estimation-2024. These censuses aid forest officials in protecting the forest areas where these big cats live to avoid any man-animal conflict.
Discovering a black leopard with its baby is good news. It means:
The forest is healthy enough to support these rare animals.
The leopards are able to have babies and survive.
Conservation efforts are working.
What can a common man do?
If you live near these forests, here’s what you should know:
Safety Tips:
– Stay away from forest edges, especially at dawn and dusk.
– Keep your surroundings well-lit at night.
– Don’t walk alone in forest areas.
– Keep children close when outdoors near forests.
– Store garbage properly to avoid attracting animals.
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Local residents can help by:
– Report any wildlife sightings to forest officials.
– Follow safety guidelines
– Support forest protection efforts
– Learn more about these amazing animals.
– Share correct information with others
Conclusion
The forest department is watching the situation closely. They’re making sure both the rare leopards and local people stay safe. This discovery shows why it’s important to protect our forests and the special animals that live in them.
If you spot any wild animals or need help, call your local forest office immediately. Keep emergency numbers handy and save them in your phone.
