I’ve been fascinated by the black panther since reading The Jungle Book as a child, and meeting the character of Bagheera – Mowgli’s protector,” says Will. “For me, no creature is shrouded in more mystery.”
Black panthers are in fact melanistic leopards (and jaguars). A gene mutation causes excess production of melanin, darkening the fur and camouflaging the spots. Black leopards are vanishingly rare in Africa, more commonly found in the jungles of Thailand, Malaysia and India – where, two years ago, Will captured a long-distance portrait in the Kabini Forest. “I often thought about going back, but my dream was to photograph one in Africa,” he recalls. “So, when I heard of sightings near the Laikipia Wilderness Camp in Kenya, I knew I had to get out there, no matter how slim my chances.”
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Shadows in the night
The quest would not be easy. So secretive is this phantom cat that some people believe it exists only as a spirit. Will began by retracing the footsteps of those who had seen the feline, and searching for tracks and signs. His guide came across a set of prints along a narrow game trail – but whether they belonged to his quarry or a ‘normal’ leopard was impossible to tell.
Nonetheless, he set up his camera traps, driving out first thing each morning to see what had passed in the night. Soon, he had clocked up images of hyenas, elephants, hares and spotty leopards, but no hero panther. He started to have major doubts. “I decided I was wasting my time,” he recalls. “Finding such an elusive animal in this vast area seemed so unlikely.”
It was lucky he didn’t give up. A few days later, checking the last camera, Will saw the glowing eyes of an all-black cat staring back at him from the darkness. “I’m still pinching myself,” he says.
Will Burrard-Lucas is a British wildlife photographer. See more of his work at burrard-lucas.com.
top image: A black panther in the night near the Laikipia Wilderness Camp in Kenya. Credit: Will Burrard-Lucas
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