Photographer Captures Images of Extremely Rare Black Leopard After 2 Years of Waiting

Photographer Captures Images of Extremely Rare Black Leopard After 2 Years of Waiting
Caters News
Epoch Inspired Staff
Updated:

A wildlife photographer has captured stunning photographs of a rare black leopard after waiting to spot the wild cat for TWO YEARS.

Anurag Gawande, 24, was amazed to spot the rarest leopard of its kind roaming through Tadoba National Park, India.

Photos show the melanistic leopard emerge from bushes.

Anurag, who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of the wild cat for over two years, said the experience was very “unique” and “like finding a needle in haystack.”

The leopard is seen crossing a road. (Caters News)
The leopard is seen crossing a road. Caters News
"I was in search of him for the last two years. It was a dream come true moment. I was very excited but at the same time I knew it could be my first and last chance of capturing him." (Caters News)
"I was in search of him for the last two years. It was a dream come true moment. I was very excited but at the same time I knew it could be my first and last chance of capturing him." Caters News

“When you watch him with open eyes you don’t see any spots it looks totally black,” said the explorer, who runs a jungle safari in Maharashtra in central India. “Its coat was shining and even though the whole encounter lasted for about one minute, this leopard has given me the most iconic moment of my life.”

Anurag was on a safari with his mother and brother at the time of the encounter.

“I was waiting for a tiger to come out of bushes as there was a strong calling of deers,” he added. “As I was heading towards the hill top, I saw two gypsy cars lined up who the leopard some moments ago.

“I waited there for about five minutes and heard calling of sambar deer and on the other side when suddenly the guide shouted ‘Blacky! Blacky!’ It was black leopard.”

The rare leopard appears out of the wilderness. (Caters News)
The rare leopard appears out of the wilderness. Caters News
“I waited there for about five minutes and heard calling of sambar deer and on the other side when suddenly the guide shouted 'Blacky! Blacky!' It was black leopard.” (Caters News)
“I waited there for about five minutes and heard calling of sambar deer and on the other side when suddenly the guide shouted 'Blacky! Blacky!' It was black leopard.” Caters News

Though the leopard ran into the bushes as it was scared of the vehicles’ noise, it eventually came out after a couple of minutes’ wait.

“When he started walking, I was able to see some of his spots and also because of his black color his whites paw stood out,” Anurag said. “I was in search of him for the last two years. It was a dream come true moment. I was very excited but at the same time I knew it could be my first and last chance of capturing him.

“I calmed myself and held my camera and started capturing. He started crossing the road. The whole moment was over in one minute.”

Share your stories with us at [email protected], and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired Newsletter here: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter
Epoch Inspired Staff
Epoch Inspired Staff
Author
Epoch Inspired staff cover stories of hope that celebrate kindness, traditions, and triumph of the human spirit, offering valuable insights into life, culture, family and community, and nature.
Related Topics