Extremely rare BLACK leopard becomes ‘first ever photographed in Africa without a camera trap’ in unique close-up encounter in Kenya
- The photos of the black panther were taken in Laikipia, Kenya
- The two-year-old female, dubbed Giza by local trackers, was first seen in the area 18 months ago
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Stunning photos have been taken of a rare black panther in Laikipia, Kenya.
It is the first creature photographed in Africa without a camera trap.
The elusive cat, a two-year-old female dubbed Giza by local trackers, was first spotted 18 months ago in the Ewaso Narok River area. She was delivered in a litter of two cubs to a more common spotted leopard.
Over many nights of observation, photographer Chris Brunskill and his specialist team of local trackers, led by ranger Joseph Mugambi, began to gain insight into the cat’s movements and on several occasions saw her cross the river at sunset to begin hunting before returning a few hours later, often with her prey.
Brunskill said, “Having the opportunity to closely track and photograph a black leopard, alone in the wilderness of Laikipia, was both an incredible thrill and an extraordinary privilege.”
Stunning photos have been taken of a rare black panther in Laikipia, Kenya
It is the first photographed in Africa without a camera trap
There was only one confirmed sighting of the creature in Africa until 2019, when a team of biologists took photos of the big cat in Kenya.
Prior to 2019, the only confirmed sighting of a black panther in Africa was in 1909 in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
The elusive cat, a two-year-old female dubbed Giza by local trackers, first appeared in the Ewaso Narok River area 18 months ago.
Giza was delivered in a litter of two cubs to a more common spotted leopard
Over the past year, the cat has become more accustomed to humans and now tolerates the occasional vehicle following her through her territory
Over many nights of observation, photographer Chris Brunskill and his specialist team of local trackers led by ranger Joseph Mugambi began to build an understanding of the cat’s movements and repeatedly watched her cross the river at sunset to begin hunting before she returned a few hours later. later, often with her prey
Giza’s tolerance for humans extended to using a spotlight to track her movements and resulted in many incredible encounters for Brunskill and his team
Brunskill and his team observed her on several evenings hunting near the Laikipia Wilderness Camp where they were stationed.
Brunskill said: ‘Having the opportunity to closely track and photograph a black leopard, alone in the wilderness of Laikipia, was both an incredible thrill and an extraordinary privilege’
Nicholas Pilfold, a biologist at the San Diego Institute, said: ‘Black panthers are uncommon, only about 11 percent of leopards worldwide are black. But black panthers in Africa are extremely rare’
The leopard, scientific name Panthera pardus, is more commonly found with black fur in the more tropical and humid conditions of Southeast Asia
Will Burrard-Lucas, who photographed a black panther in Kenya in 2019, said: ‘For me no animal is more mysterious, no animal more elusive and no animal more beautiful’
The term “black panther” broadly refers to any melanistic leopard, jaguar, or other big cat