In news: Recently, a rare Melanistic Leopard (commonly known as Black Panther) has been recorded in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) of Maharashtra.
About Melanistic Leopard/Black Panther
The melanistic leopards are either all-black or very dark in coloration.
It is a color variant of spotted Indian leopards, reported from densely forested areas of south India.
Black coat coloration is attributed to the expression of recessive gene in leopards and dominant gene in jaguars.
In each species, a certain combination of gene stimulates the production of large amounts of the dark skin pigment melanin in the animal’s fur and skin.
It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect.
Habitat:
They are mainly found in Southwestern China, Burma, Nepal, Southern India, Indonesia, and the southern part of Malaysia.
In India they can be spotted in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra etc.
Threats: Habitat loss, Collision with vehicles, Diseases, Human encroachment, Poaching.
Protection Status:
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
CITES: Appendix I.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
About Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
NNTR was notified as 46thtiger reserve of India on 12thDecember, 2013.
Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve has connectivity with the major tiger reserves in Central India like,
Kanha and Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh,
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger reserve in Maharashtra,
Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh,
It is also connected to important tiger bearing areas like Umred-Karhandla sanctuary and Brahampuri Division (Maharashtra).
