Elusive black leopard spotted in Kenya for first time in 100 years

(Supplied) Black leopards are so rare in Africa, researchers don't know if the genetic mutation responsible for the dark pigmentation is the same one that underlies melanism in Southeast Asian leopards. Four of these observations were at night with infrared imaging, which confirmed the animal's rosette patterning.

Burrard-Lucas was trying to spot the leopard for several days without success when he finally returned to his cameras to find a striking image.

"For me, no animal is shrouded in more mystery, no animal more elusive, and no animal more attractive", the photographer described in a blog post. "It's been something rare and elusive and very hard to get". "Just the most stunning, spectacular creature I think I've ever photographed!"

An ultra-rare black leopard - with a silky-looking, shiny coat - was spotted in Africa for the first time in more than 100 years, and the wildlife photographer who captured the elusive big cat credits the sighting simply to dumb luck.

"The biggest challenge in this project was knowing where to put my camera traps".

The findings from the Camtraptions remote cameras were recently published in the Journal of African Ecology.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, leopards are critically endangered. In real-life, however the black panther is a real creature who has almost mythic status thanks to having not been seen in nearly 100 years.

"Coincidentally, our observations are very close to where the fantasy Marvel comic country of Wakanda is suggested to be located", he said.

He's been fascinated with black panthers since he was a child, and in a blog post he said, "no animal is shrouded in more mystery, no animal more elusive and no animal more lovely". Scientists wanted to better understand the dynamics of the leopard population in Loisaba, as well as the different causes of human-wildlife conflict.

However, he went on to note that he's "not claiming that these are the first photos of a black leopard taken in Africa". The team then set up a camera trap in that location.

"I do, however, believe that they are the first close-up, high-quality photographs", he said. "As a local, people have always been talking about the black leopard".

"Rare and unique sightings like this inspire people to protect", Pilford told CBS News, adding that this kind of attention will benefit conservation in Kenya.

Kahumbu congratulated Letoluai for helping spearhead the global project.