Many animal species are disappearing from the planet because of us, but fortunately some, to the detriment of forecasts, are resisting. Among these is the black leopard, immortalized in Africa by a series of splendid shots.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himMany animal species are disappearing from the planet because of us, but fortunately some, to the detriment of forecasts, are resisting. Among these is the black leopard, immortalized in Africa by a series of splendid shots.
More than 100 years have passed since previous scientific records that testified to the existence of black leopards in Africa. But now an incredible sequence of photos has confirmed their presence in Kenya.
Black leopards are extremely rare specimens as they suffer from a genetic condition that is considered the opposite of albinism. This is the melanismo, which makes them appear completely black in daylight while, observing them carefully, it can be seen that at the base there is instead the characteristic spotted coat.
Their appearance helps them to blend in in woodland environments and, also for this reason, the species is hardly ever sighted. Mainly in the past its presence has been reported in some areas of Southeast Asia and more rarely in Africa. The last photo that portrayed them dates back to 1909.
Recently though, nature photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, he succeeded in a feat in which many others had failed. Will has always had the desire to capture (but obviously only with his shots), the legendary felines. The rarity of this species risked making him a pipe dream but fortunately it did not happen.
In Kenya, the photographer managed to find the mysterious and elusive black feline and immortalize it by giving us all a series of splendid shots, made thanks to cameras positioned in the environment.
Burrard-Lucas traveled to Laikipia Wilderness Camp and, with the help of researchers from the San Diego Zoo, installed several high-definition Camtraption motion sensor camera traps.
For several nights, he left the camera traps positioned on a path where leopards allegedly passed. When he finally checked what they had captured, he was amazed at what they had captured.
"I couldn't believe it and it took a few days for me to realize that I had made my dream come true." the photographer said excitedly.
Subsequently the traps were moved in order to shoot the leopards also from other perspectives, even the splendid animal was photographed on a full moon night. As the photographer wrote in his blog:
“Then, on the night of the full moon, the black leopard reappeared and I photographed it as the moon was setting behind a ridge. Needless to say, I was thrilled to be back and to have captured such a striking image. "
These shots give us the opportunity to enjoy the enchanting spectacle of a rare and mysterious animal that we could hardly see in nature.
Read also:
- The eastern cougar or puma is officially extinct
- The wonderful snow leopard is about to go extinct
