In an exciting and rare development for wildlife conservation, a leopard and two black panthers were spotted in the Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, on December 9, 2024. The sighting was reported by Shri Zaro Sagno, a Beat Guard at the Doigurung Anti-Poaching Camp, who captured the moment at 3:30 AM using his M-stripe mobile device.
This discovery provides a positive sign for the region’s biodiversity, especially in the wake of the recent poaching of a melanistic leopard. Expressing optimism, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “While we mourned the loss of a melanistic leopard to poaching, the sighting of a leopard and black panther serves as a reminder of nature’s resilience and gives hope for the future.”
Khandu also reaffirmed the state’s dedication to protecting its wildlife, emphasizing the importance of preserving the Pakke Tiger Reserve’s unique ecological heritage.
