Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Girija Desai from the Ratnagiri forest department, while confirming the rare sighting in state, said, “We have come across a white newborn cub of an Indian leopard in Ratnagiri district. We also found the cub's mother and an another cub nearby”
The Maharashtra forest officials said that they were using camera traps and keeping a close tab on the mother and its cubs. Pic/Maharashtra Forest Department
In what is believed to be a first for the state, forest officials in Maharashtra have discovered a rare white Indian leopard cub in Ratnagiri district, the officials said on Thursday.
Confirming the rare sighting in state, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Girija Desai from the Ratnagiri forest department, said, “We have come across a white newborn cub of an Indian leopard in Ratnagiri district. We also found the cub's mother and an another cub nearby.”
She added, "We have also located the mother with an another cub at the spot. We are using camera traps and keeping a close tab on the mother and cubs. As the cub is extremely small it is difficult to say if it is leucistic or albinistic. However this is the first such record from Maharashtra where a white colour leopard cub has been spotted."
Leucistic or lucism happens due to genetic mutation that leads to abnormally pale or light coloration. If compared with albinistic or albinism in leopards, the body coat with visible rosette patterns will be replaced with very pale or white fur due to the condition.
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