Ultra Rare Black Leopard Is Photographed For The First Time In 100 Years In Africa
The creature was captured by British wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, 35, while it was raining around the plains of Kenya under full moon.
This is the first time that one has been caught on camera properly in Africa for 100 years.
Working in collaboration with biologists from San Diego Zoo in the area, Burrard-Lucas went about installing camera traps in a well-protected area where the black leopard was rumoured to frequent.
He used specialist equipment including wireless motion sensors, high-quality DSLR cameras and two to three flashes.
The big cat that he captured was confirmed as a juvenile female, travelling with its parent.
Burrard-Lucas said:
People have raised the valid concern that the leopard may now be a target for trophy hunters. Fortunately trophy hunting is illegal in Kenya. My take is that the benefits of promoting tourism far out way the risks and hence I have stated the location. Tourism brings critical revenue to these places and is often the only source of funding for conservation efforts.
African leopards are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The creature was captured by British wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, 35, while it was raining around the plains of Kenya under full moon.
This is the first time that one has been caught on camera properly in Africa for 100 years.
Working in collaboration with biologists from San Diego Zoo in the area, Burrard-Lucas went about installing camera traps in a well-protected area where the black leopard was rumoured to frequent.
He used specialist equipment including wireless motion sensors, high-quality DSLR cameras and two to three flashes.
The big cat that he captured was confirmed as a juvenile female, travelling with its parent.
Burrard-Lucas said:
People have raised the valid concern that the leopard may now be a target for trophy hunters. Fortunately trophy hunting is illegal in Kenya. My take is that the benefits of promoting tourism far out way the risks and hence I have stated the location. Tourism brings critical revenue to these places and is often the only source of funding for conservation efforts.
African leopards are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
No comments