![The black panther #2 Shortly after the first shot : <br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39329/black_panther_aka_melanistic_leopard.html" title="Black Panther aka melanistic leopard"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2233/39329_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1769040010&Signature=anx%2BJiahaJ4sORzH7r%2FDG4R%2FpJ4%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Black Panther aka melanistic leopard Dream sighting and lucky enough to shoot too! What a weekend in the jungle... this image is 24 hours old! :)<br />
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Due to a mutation in the melanin gene, these leopards have Melanism, a development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or its appendages and is the opposite of albinism. Historically, it was also the medical term for black jaundice [wiki]. Geotagged,India,Indian leopard,Panthera pardus fusca,Spring" /></a></figure><br />
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He moved down and away... amazing sighting for me! Still grinning! :D Geotagged,India,Indian leopard,Panthera pardus fusca,Spring](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2233/39330_medium.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1769040010&Signature=qit4ZtUnusBf%2FcAjFSFmHcC0r2o%3D)
![Black Panther aka melanistic leopard Dream sighting and lucky enough to shoot too! What a weekend in the jungle... this image is 24 hours old! :)<br />
<br />
Due to a mutation in the melanin gene, these leopards have Melanism, a development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or its appendages and is the opposite of albinism. Historically, it was also the medical term for black jaundice [wiki]. Geotagged,India,Indian leopard,Panthera pardus fusca,Spring](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2233/39329_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1769040010&Signature=anx%2BJiahaJ4sORzH7r%2FDG4R%2FpJ4%3D)
The Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent and classified as "Near Threatened" by IUCN since 2008. The species "Panthera pardus" may soon qualify for the "Vulnerable" status due to habitat loss and fragmentation, heavy poaching for the illegal trade of skins and body parts in Asia, and persecution due to conflict situations.
Similar species: Carnivorans
By JohnR
All rights reserved
Uploaded Jun 6, 2016. Captured Jun 5, 2016 17:50 in Unnamed Road, Kakanakote Forest, Karnataka 571114, India.
