KARNATAKA
Sandalwood Leopard Spotted in Karnataka
- 07 Jan 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Karnataka records first sighting of the ultra‑rare Sandalwood Leopard in Vijayanagara district, marking only the second confirmed instance of this rare leopard colour morph in India.
Key Points
- Sandalwood Leopard: This rare leopard colour morph has been named “Sandalwood Leopard” in reference to Karnataka’s cultural association with sandalwood.
- Internationally this variant is also known as a strawberry leopard.
- Previous National Sighting: Prior to this record, only one similar leopard had been documented in India — in Ranakpur, Rajasthan, in November 2021.
- Leopard Description: Sandalwood Leopards differ from typical leopards by their distinct reddish‑pink hue, making them exceptionally rare globally.
- Cause of Unusual Colouration: Experts believe this rare coat colour may be due to genetic variations such as: erythrism for excess red pigmentation and hypomelanism to reduced dark pigment
- However, DNA analysis would be needed to confirm the precise genetic mechanism.
Do You Know
- Habitat: Indian leopards are widely distributed across forests, grasslands, scrublands and human‑dominated landscapes in India.
- IUCN Status: It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- WPA Status: Leopards are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
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