The first sighting of a rare ‘pink leopard’ in the Ranakpur Region of Rajasthan has caught the attention of several animal experts and enthusiasts across the nation. Locals in Pali have reportedly spotted the pink-coat leopard several times before, but it was only recently that the wild cat with a strawberry-coloured coat was photographed in the region. An anatomic case, experts suggest a genetic condition or mutation behind the leopard’s pink hide.
The pink sighting on a wild trail!
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For the first time in the wildlife history of the country, a rare sighting of ‘pink leopard’ has raised both concern and pride among the locals. While it is set to raise the tourist footfall here, especially with safari enthusiasts lining up to spot the strawberry leopard, it may also cause harm to the wild animal, since its genetic condition & behaviour is not known.
While pink leopards have been spotted earlier, their sightings have been acutely rare. In 2012, a leopard with spots on its pink coat was spotted in South Africa. The second visual was also reported from the same region in 2019.
Forest officials claim that the pink leopard is a native of the Kumbhalgarh forest area is located in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district. Spread across 600 square km, the forest region is the natural habitat of Indian leopard, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal and sambhar, among other exotic species.
