Black panther returns to Vizag zoo after 40 years

After nearly four decades, a four-year-old female black panther was released into its enclosure at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park here on Tuesday, adding a rare attraction to the zoo and boosting its conservation efforts.

The animal, brought from the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden under the Animal Exchange Programme, was formally released by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.V. Chalapathi Rao.

He said more species would be introduced under the programme as visitor response had been encouraging. Upgraded enclosures for the sloth bear, wolf, jackal, and red-necked wallaby were also inaugurated to improve animal welfare.

Mr. Rao said black panthers were once reported in the Simhachalam region, but sightings had declined over the years. He added that regular panther numbers also reduced after Cyclone Hudhud.

Clarifying that the black panther is a melanistic variant of the common panther and not a separate species, he said another panther from Assam would be introduced later, with plans to encourage breeding at the zoo.

The black panther has been adopted for one year by Nihira Malineni with a contribution of ₹1.25 lakh, while the Indian rhinoceros was adopted by Rhino Rock Solid Insulation under CSR with ₹3 lakh. Officials said the adoption scheme would support conservation and public participation.