Extremely Rare Black Leopard Is Spotted In Indian Wildlife

The rare melanistic leopard was photographed by Anurag Gawande while he was in Tadoba National Park. Melanistic leopards are incredibly rare because of their black coats being highly coveted by poachers. Gawande said the leopard, pictured contrasted against clay-red ground, was spotted as it was hunting a deer. Around 11 per cent of leopards are melanistic - a unique pigmentation that turns their coats and skin black. You can watch video below the article.

The 24-year-old photographer Anurag Gawande said he was just 30 feet away from the leopard when he spotted it, adding that it had been hunting a deer when his safari group came across the rare cat. Indian leopards are listed as a vulnerable species following habitat loss and poaching. Between 12,000 and 14,000 are believed to live in India. Around 11 per cent of leopards have the unique pigmentation, making them a rare sight