A black leopard has been sighted in a reserve forest in Odisha’s Sundargarh district. According to sources, the trap cameras installed by the Forest department in Garjan hill of Dhanu Baunsa reserve forest in the district have captured the black leopard moving in the area. Sundargarh ACF Sanjib Panda confirmed the sighting, revealing that images of the melanistic leopard were captured by one of the 25 trap cameras stationed in the reserve forest.

The trap cameras were initially set up as part of the tiger census conducted in 2023. However, during the census operation, the unexpected appearance of the black leopard in the forest area piqued the interest of conservationists and researchers alike. Although the specific location of the sighting was not disclosed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), he emphasized that it is not uncommon to spot melanistic leopards in Odisha. He explained that the dark coloration of the leopard’s hide is attributed to excess pigmentation. This sighting underscores the rich biodiversity of Odisha’s forests and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect such rare and magnificent creatures. It also serves as a reminder of the need for continued monitoring and research to better understand and safeguard the wildlife inhabiting these ecosystems.