In an unprecedented event, a leopard with two different-colored eyes has been photographed at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. The unique feline was captured by wildlife photographer Dhruv Patil, a member of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board, during a safari.
Mr. Patil spotted the elderly female leopard perched on a tree and took several photos. Upon reviewing the images, he noticed the distinct eye colors: one bluish-green and the other brown. This rare condition, known as heterochromia iridum, is a genetic mutation causing each eye to have a different color.
IAS officer Supriya Sahu, known for sharing fascinating wildlife facts and clips, posted an image of the leopard on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. She captioned the post:
“Beware! The eyes of this leopard will hypnotize you. In a first documentation of its kind in India, a leopard with two different colored eyes has been photographed in Bandipur Tiger Reserve by Dhruv Patil. How incredible! Heterochromia Iridum is a very rare genetic mutation which causes each of the two eyes to have a different color.”
Mr. Patil expressed his gratitude in response to her tweet, while Sahu praised the photograph as a “brilliant capture.”
Heterochromia iridum, commonly known as heterochromia, is a rare genetic mutation where the irises of an individual are of different colors. This phenomenon has reportedly not been documented in big cats in India until now. The American Academy of Ophthalmology identifies different types of heterochromia:
•Complete Heterochromia: One iris is a completely different color from the other.
•Partial Heterochromia: Part of one iris is a different color from the rest.
•Central Heterochromia: The inner ring of the iris is a different color from the outer area.
The photograph of the heterochromatic leopard has sparked reactions on social media, with one user commenting, “Very intense!” and another noting, “What a rare capture. Credit to the man behind the camera.”
Mr. Patil remarked on the significance of documenting such rare mutations in elusive creatures, adding to his impressive portfolio that includes a black panther photographed at the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary near Mysuru. Patil’s dedication to wildlife photography is evident, as he has spent over 9,000 minutes, 150 hours, or almost seven days on a single road in a national forest in Karnataka to capture these extraordinary images.
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