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An ultra-rare leopard
colour morph has been documented for the first time in Karnataka’s Vijayanagara
district.
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Conservationists have
named this big cat the "Sandalwood Leopard," inspired by its
distinctive light reddish-pink fur, which resembles the color of sandalwood and
is marked with light brown spots.
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The sighting marks only
the second such record in India and the first in the state. It was previously
spotted in Rajasthan in November 2021.
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The leopard was recorded
during a study conducted by the Holematthi Nature Foundation.
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Globally, this colour
morph has been documented only five times across South Africa, Tanzania and
India.
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The leopard’s unusual
colouring is believed to be caused by genetic traits such as hypomelanism or
erythrism.
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Camera trap images
confirmed that the leopard is a female, estimated to be around seven years old.
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One photograph also
showed the leopard with a cub displaying a normal tawny coat.
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Researchers stated that definitive
identification would require molecular analysis using non-invasive DNA samples.
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The discovery highlights
Karnataka’s rich leopard diversity, including one of India’s highest
populations of melanistic leopards.
