The charming black panthers excite you.
An extremely rare black leopard has been caught on camera in an Indian nature reserve. The big cat was named Bagheera after the character in ?udyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
Budding wildlife photographer Haritri Goswami photographed the young black leopard on a trip to Peach National Park in southern India. The unique coat is understood to be a result of the melanin found in Bagheera’s skin.

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Bagheera is a rare melanistic leopard named after the character in ?udyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. The young leopard was photographed by Haritri Goswami in India in August.

The budding wildlife photographer captured Bagheera climbing a tree in the southern Indian national park.
Bagheera’s unique color is due to the melanin found in its skin and fur. Haritri Goswami managed to capture footage of Bagheera climbing and then landing on a tree.

A darker pigment is found in the skin, fur, and eyes and causes the darker color. The genetic variation of the young leopard is opposite to albinism.
Some scientists have suggested that this is an incredible example of evolution. Scientists believe that some Indian leopards with dark black fur are developing the rare trait to help hunt prey at night.
The dark coloration helps the leopard to creep through dense forests undetected, hiding in the shadows. There have been few other recorded sightings of black leopards in other forests throughout Asia and Africa.

A black leopard was captured in Kenya last month. It’s not just leopards that have been seen with this unique trait. Earlier this year, two extremely rare black tigers were caught roaming the Nandankanan National Park in eastern India.
Home to Bagheera, Peach National Park is also affectionately known as the “Land of the Mowgli” for the incredible variety of animals that live in the jungle. The national park also has a tiger reserve.

The national park claims to have inspired the setting for Kipling’s classic book. However, this is disputed as Kipling never visited the area. Other wildlife photographers also managed to capture a picture of Bagheera.
Bagheera was captured last month for the first time since November 2020. Park officials believe it is the same black leopard returning after a two-year absence. Goswami captured the black panther climbing a tree in Peach National Park

Bagheera can also be referred to as a panther because it is a general term that refers to any large cat with black fur.