Return of "Saya"- the ghost of Kabini

"black panther, black panther, black panther" ... shouted the young boy from behind me

Hi All,

Been a while. How was this break? Hectic travel, including weekends, meant that InFocus did not stay in focus, How sad. Yes. Apologies for that, but here is the good news. InFocus is back and promises to be here every weekend to fill you in with a variety.

We were in Kabini last weekend. As we checked in I got busy taking in the updates on the Black Panther. He was seen on March 3rd after 8 months (August 2022 was his last sighting and that too was just about a fleeting sighting for a couple of safari vehicles, the actual good sighting was on March 2nd week of 2022 when yours truly included had sighted him and he stayed put in Zone A for 4-5 days and was sighted a few more times by others. He then disappeared). Friends and acquaintances at the reception brought me up to speed on the March 3rd sighting by 2 vehicles and then another sighting by the forest department. But he was not seen after that for a week. Strangely enough, he was seen in a different part of the park, not his core area, and certainly he was never sighted in this area before.

We were fortunate to be allotted Zone A that evening. That essentially has been the Black Panther area over years. Expectantly we set out. Expectantly? What were the chances of spotting him? Slim very slim I told myself. He was seen after almost a year and that too just twice about a week back. When I last saw him in March 2022, I had convinced my mind that another sighting would be difficult. It was hot and the Kabini forest had grown parched. The grass cover had almost vanished, which was good as a Big Cat sighting was easy because of that. Also, the watering holes come into play straight away. We made our way around past multiple watering holes, but no luck. There were no alarm calls too. However, we were in luck as we went deep inside the forest and we saw Kabini’s reigning Queen, “Magge Rani” the tigress inside the water body, cooling herself down. As I scanned the area around, we saw her 3-month-old cub, come running towards her. It was a gorgeous sight. Tigresses protect their cubs hard and sighting young cubs is extremely hard. Soon they were joined by the 2nd cub and we spent a good time with the family. It was a great start to our safari. Something much more than what I had bargained for.

It was getting around 5 pm and big cats get active around 5 / 5.30 pm so off we set off in search of the elusive “Saya”. The much chronicled, much photographed, videographed, admired one and only prima donna of the Kabini forest, nahh of Incredible India the Black Panther the ghost of Kabini, popularly called “Saya” (means Shadow).

As we drove we heard some langur alarm calls. We drove in that direction. Soon we were around the area where the calls were coming from. A safari vehicle was parked there. They signaled us to park behind them and turn off the engine. There seemed palpable excitement among the occupants of that vehicle. Black Panther someone whispered and pointed to our right. We peered through the undergrowth, & I saw his black body leap. An unsuccessful attempt to kill a langur. He was moving inside, I saw his back and tail again & then the action stopped.

A deathly silence enveloped, it was as if there was a sigh of relief around among the potential prey. Or was it a fear and anticipation of what possibly lay ahead for them?

Time ticked by. Patience as I always say is a key virtue one must possess in plenty in an Indian forest. It pays rich dividends as we were soon to find out. Also, it was a decision-making time, should we go around and see if he would come out from around the bend on the other side or should we stay put here? As we contemplated, a tuskless elephant stepped out, from exactly the same place where we sighted the Black Panther inside. My heart sank. Surely the elephant would have scared the black panther. Anyway as a photographer I decided I must make the most of the opportunity and make a few frames of the elephant. Elephant has always been my favorite subject to photograph and soon I was immersed in making good of the opportunity.

“Black Panther, black panther, black panther …” shouted the young boy from just behind me in our safari vehicle. As a reflex, I got up and scanned the forest ahead of me and there he was ….. “Saya” …. the prima donna predator of Kabini, just about 20 feet from me.

Ohhh … my heart almost leaped out, heartbeats shot up and there was palpable excitement all around.

By now 4-5 safari vehicles had lined up behind. We were ahead of others as the vehicle that had earlier sighted the black panther had run out of patience and had moved on.

The ghost of Kabini appeared.

Stealth has been his strongest ally, almost unannounced he stepped forward, and even the elephant did not notice him come out from right behind him. The jungle stood still for its master to enact, as he stopped and looked away.

Taut, lissome muscular frame, shiny coat, ears cocked … he looked in great shape as he looked away as if in search of someone. Search for whom? what got him back? what drew him here? Is it a coincidence that he was back once again in March 2nd week like last year? Many thoughts rushed through my mind.

I loved this frame, a classic Kabini frame. Amidst Teak and Rosewood trees, and dry March grass, he stood like a Master, scanning his kingdom, smelling - soaking all of it in, undisturbed by the commotion he was causing right behind him among the wildlife enthusiasts.

He then stepped forward, almost like a peekaboo, hid behind a tree, and peeped out, in anticipation of someone spotting him.

It was fabulous to watch him do that. So cool he looked. No wonder he has captivated wildlife enthusiasts almost for a decade and held center stage. He surely is the coolest dude around.

Unable to get the desired results, he stepped forward and walked, yet looking away from us, as if wanting to see someone on that side.

He completely ignored us the lesser mortals, all this while, as he continued his walk.

All my worries about his health disappeared as his frame filled my camera lens. More importantly, as I saw his eyes. They say an eye is a clear indicator of one’s health and Saya looked in super health as I saw his emerald-glittering eyes in that evening twilight for the first time. They shone like a jewel and he looked the same ruthless, master predator who had ruled the jungle all these years.

Up & down was the land ahead and Up & down went the Black Panther. Each frame, was priceless for me, each frame bringing out the distinct contours of his sculpted frame.

“Those Eyes” locked with mine & instantly I could hear the blood gushing through my veins as we locked gaze. It had a magical - mesmerizing effect. Ohh, he was gorgeous, and how gorgeous is he is for all inFocus readers to feel, admire & share. I want all adjectives to come out in your responses.

The “ghost” held center stage. I was fortunate as he looked our way only thrice (all put together for just a few seconds, and am delighted my instincts, and focus helped me respond fast just as my Nikon camera did not let me down)

These frames were priceless. The frame below will help you understand why is he called the “ghost”.

He was soon on the safari track ahead of us. Looked again for that last time at me and I could see the scar over his right eye, which he had picked up during a fight years back. The only nonblack part apart from the eyes on his body.

He crouched (what was he up to?) . The ghost was up to some tricks maybe.

He sat, looking away, into the jungle.

& then he Rolled on the track, feet up. How cute, how cool, for this dangerous predator.

He wanted to be loved. He was missing his “love”. March is the month, I got the answer, he comes looking for his mate and was longing for her.

Allowing me to make a few frames, he got up ad walked his regal walk. His long frame, those quick-footed feet, the ears, tail, arched body, and muscles stood out. Saya stole my heart once again.

Will there ever be another Saya? Never. There would be many stars, but “Saya” would always remain the Prima Donna of the Indian forests, for sure of South India forests.

As he made his way into the woods, I silently bid him goodbye. Wished him luck with his partner, felt convinced that he has at least a couple of years with him still, and promised him that I would be back to see him again and again and again. If he moves out into the core forest as he did last year, I knew my chances of seeing him would be highest once again in the March of 2024, as he comes back for his partner.

News of “Saya” spread like wildfire and Kabini properties logged in bookings of unprecedented levels once again sending the Kabini GDP soaring. A once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon this melanistic leopard is unique as he is “jet black”. Indian forests have reported a few more melanistic leopards (Tadoba, Pench, Dandeli) in tourist areas but one can still see their spots (as they say a leopard cannot change his spots). Saya has. He is spotless, handsome looking, muscular, and alert, those eyes glow even in broad daylight.

He is unique.

He is “Saya”.

I Hope InFocus has stoked your passion again for the wild and nature.

Look forward to a selfless share ahead of this InFocus among your friends and family as let everyone understand, appreciate and if possible make a trip to Kabini to witness & experience him.

So long then. Until next Saturday when Magge and her cubs will enthrall you.

Gears used: Nikon D 750 camera and Nikkor Prime 400 f 2.8 lens.

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