Leopards are elusive predators that roam the savannahs and mountains of Africa. These rosette cats are sought after by many wildlife lovers, photographers and enthusiasts. Is there any animal that is most sought after when going on safari?

What’s better than a leopard, you might ask? The answer is a BLACK LEOPARD. Yes, a black leopard, this creature exists. Wildlife guide Shaheen Patel of Legend Safaris and his guests are among the lucky few to have seen this mythical ghost of the night. The incredible moment was captured on camera and shared with LatestSightings.com.

“One night, on safari in Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Kenya. A mother impala and her lamb were scared in the dark by two striped hyenas. Fear and confusion gripped the weak young lamb, and it scuttled across the dusty ground. Then, as if a ghost appeared out of nowhere, a dark figure pounced on the lamb and punished it.”

Leopards are ambush predators and use camouflage when stalking their prey. It allows them to approach unsuspecting prey and attack without using much energy chasing their prey.

“When we shed light on the chaos, there she was in all her glory: the rarest of them all, the infamous black leopard of Africa. We were stunned by what was revealed before us. Not only did we witness the rarest cat in Africa, but we also saw her successfully hunt an impala lamb!

Black leopards are no different from normal leopards. The main difference is in the genes; Black leopards have a genetic condition that causes them to produce excess melanin, hence their alternative name, melanistic leopards. This results in their usually golden fur being black. The famous leopard print is present on black leopards; however, excess melanin hides the rosette patterns.

“Shortly after, she strangled the little lamb. A “normal” male leopard that was following her ran and took over the prey. The black leopard turned and ran. Just like that, she left. Emerging from the darkness and disappearing again into the night”

What makes this leopard so rare is that it is one of the few free-roaming black leopards. Spending time with any leopard is special, but spending time with a rare melanistic leopard in its natural environment is simply incredible.