The very first time I landed in Dandeli as a naturalist, the first thing that came across my thought was “Black panther”. I never had any kind of hopes that I would encounter this — it is the rarest of the rarest sightings.
Fifteen days later our safari driver brought into my notice that he spotted a black panther and leopard pair together. Then my hunt for their sighting started. I took almost 15 safari trips but could never spot them.
15 Feb 2022 — “The black lord”
But yesterday (15th Feb 2022) the day arrived. “The black lord” was resting over the branch of wild trees right over my head. My body started to tremble and I couldn’t hold myself still straight for at least 15 minutes. It was my destiny to photograph them.
Around 45 minutes later even the leopard came down. We got an amazing view of the pair united. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
For around two hours we were watching each other. Finally I headed back after sunset around 6:15 pm — but the bold black lord was still resting there with his partner. Next day early morning we headed again and spotted the couple once more: this time the black lord was on the ground and the leopard was above. We could spot them for about five minutes, then they returned into cover.
What is a black panther?
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard. These cats have excess black pigment, but their typical rosettes are still present under the dark coat. They have been documented mostly in tropical forests.
Melanism is caused by a recessive allele in the leopard. In 1794 Friedrich Albrecht Anton Meyer proposed the scientific name Felis fusca for this cat. By the late 19th century, black and spotted leopard cubs in the same litter had been repeatedly recorded in India. Frequency of melanism appears to be approximately 11% over the leopard’s range.
It is thought that melanism confers a selective advantage under certain conditions, since it is more common in regions of dense forest where light levels are lower. Preliminary studies also suggest melanism might be linked to beneficial mutations in the immune system.
Treat a black panther as luck plus patience — not a guaranteed checklist on a weekend jeep ride. Dandeli.org
Earlier records in Dandeli–Anshi
This was not the first time the existence of a black panther was noticed in Anshi Tiger Reserve country. As stated on Conservation India, there have been more than 100+ photo-captures of black leopards in the dense evergreen forests of Dandeli–Anshi Tiger Reserve during camera-trap surveys in earlier years (reporting dated around 2012).
Reference: Camera traps: black leopards in Dandeli–Anshi (Conservation India).
I had a chance to discuss this with Maria Christu Raja (DFO) and Sangamesh Patil (RFO). They have a clear plan to develop and conserve this area. I am thankful for their support and work.
Looking for stay and jungle safari?
If you want a forest-edge stay with a nature walk and jungle safari slots (Forest Department tickets are usually sold at the gate), ask us for a wild adventure package. Read also our wildlife spotting guide for timing and photography tips.
Safari-friendly packages
Meals and cottage stay. Jeep tickets are Forest Department extras — we help with a cab to the gate.
Wild adventure (basic)
From about Rs 2,800/night — meals, cottage, nature walk, evening safari cab help.
A cab to the safari gate
Stay in the forest belt so a dawn jeep is a short cab, not a race from town. Forest Department tickets are typically sold on the spot at Kulgi / Phansoli.
Swipe sideways or use the arrows
Common questions
Is a black panther a different species from a leopard?
No. A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard. Excess black pigment hides the typical spots and rosettes, which are still present under the dark coat.
Have black leopards been recorded in Dandeli before?
Yes. Camera-trap surveys in Dandeli–Anshi Tiger Reserve have previously recorded many photo-captures of black leopards in dense evergreen forest. This 15 Feb 2022 account is a documented field sighting with photographs by a naturalist.
Can visitors expect to see a black panther on safari?
No. Sightings are rare and never guaranteed. Treat a black panther as luck plus patience — plan for gaur, hornbill and giant squirrel, and treat a melanistic leopard as a bonus.
When is the best time for wildlife spotting in Dandeli?
October to February is the usual cooler window with better forest visibility. Morning and evening jeep slots at Kulgi / Phansoli (Pansoli) are Forest Department territory.
