(Juhi Aishwary, Journalist): The number of black leopards has started increasing. Black Panther (black leopard) is growing in the forests of central India including Chhattisgarh. Indications for this have come from photographs found in camera traps in various sanctuaries in the last few days. A black leopard was confirmed to be seen in the camera trap a day before at the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Bilaspur. Earlier, a black leopard was also seen in the state’s Udanti Sanctuary. Himgir Forest in Sundargarh in the neighboring state of Odisha has also been caught in a camera trap. Wildlife experts say that it is the leopard found in India. Not a species isolated from leopard or guldar. Due to its color being black, it came to be known as Black Panther.
Forest department excited by a camera trap in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve
The locals know it as Bagheera. The reason behind the color being black is that there are more pigments called melanin in its skin. It is generally observed and the study has revealed that leopard of other colors also fears Black Panther. In such a situation, it is not easy to grow their family. The female Black Panther is comfortable with them. Black Panther is a camera trapped for the third time in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve. It was first seen in 2011–12. The photo came to a camera during the calculations in 2018. The average age of a leopard is considered to be 12 to 17 years. Black Panther was the first adult to trap a camera. This time also the adult panther is shown. It can be said that the family is growing.
Black color is also genetic: Dr. Chandan
Dr. PK Chandan, who has served 10 years in the vet and forest department, told that this happens due to excess of melanin in the skin. Apart from this, due to changes in genes, their color becomes black. It is genetic. Their cubs can also be yellow or black, but the change in color does not affect their lifestyle.
Albums color lighter
Upendra Kumar Dubey, Senior Project Officer of WWF says that due to increasing melanistic color of any wild animal is more visible in the whole body. Similarly, due to albumins, body color is light. White tigers, bears, crow are examples of this.
Four to five photos captured
Field director of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Sanjita Gupta says that it looks black due to excess melanin in the leopard. Four to five photographs of it have been captured. It is not possible to tell how much is the correct figure. Pictures are being viewed.
