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19 Stunning Photos Of A Rare Black Panther Roaming In The Jungles Of India
Wildlife filmmaker and photographer Shaaz Jung has grown up in awe of the mighty jungle and has been fascinated by black panthers ever since the first time he saw one.
This passion became an obsession and it had become Jung’s ultimate goal to shed more light on these masters of darkness.
While chasing his dream, Jung spent the last couple of years exploring the Kabini Forest in Karnataka, India, and came back with some of the most beautiful shots of the most majestic animal we have ever seen.
More info: shaazjung.com | Instagram | Facebook (h/t mymodernmet)
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
“I spent two and a half years in the Kabini Forest, between December 2017 and January 2020, on a filming permit,” Jung told Bored Panda. “This filming permit allowed [me and the team] to make a documentary on the black panther for National Geographic.”
He was the Director of Photography and said every day was like a journey into the unknown. The attempt to unravel the secrets of the enigmatic black panther has been one of the most challenging projects Jung has ever worked on.
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
“This black panther is a leopard with an abundance of melanin. Unlike other cats in the Kabini Forest, there is only one black panther,” Jung explained. “This of course makes him far more difficult to photograph. However, since 2015… photographers have been fortunate enough to see him and take pictures. We are, however, the first to make a dedicated movie on him.”
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
This demanding project has taught everyone who was working on it the art of patience. “It’s been an incredible journey,” Jung said.
“I would like to thank the Karnataka Forest Department for protecting these forests. Their hard work enables us to catch glimpses of these beautiful animals that are thriving in our Indian forests.”
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
If you think about it, it’s like Jung’s whole life had been leading up to this job.
Raised in South India, he grew up in awe of the mighty jungle and was fortunate enough to have some of the country’s best national parks in the area. “The jungle is a labyrinth riddled with secrets that are waiting to be uncovered. Every day in the forest was like a puzzle and I had to put the pieces of this puzzle together in order to successfully unlock its secrets.”
When he did, Jung was gifted with some of the most breathtaking moments that he could capture with a camera.
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
“The camera allowed me to take photographs, immortalizing these moments, relishing life, and inspiring the world,” he said. “Wildlife is unpredictable and I love the challenge of tracking your subject before you can photograph it. It feels far more rewarding.”
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
All the hard work Jung has put into capturing wildlife really paid off. Not only did he travel some of the most beautiful places on Earth and meet gorgeous creatures, but he also became the ambassador for Nikon India and Samsung. In his spare time, Jung also runs Safari Lodges in South India and East Africa where he guides private safaris for wildlife enthusiasts.
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
RELATED:
Shaaz has also photographed other big cats
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Image credits: shaazjung
Here’s what people said about his stunning photos
What do you think ?
Toast Of Saint Louis 4 years ago
I have a panther at home but he's a bit smaller and not so dangerous.
LOttawa 4 years ago
Mine is sleeping on the back rest of the couch leaning on my shoulders... Not what I would call threatening lolll
Load More Replies...
Rainbow Panda 4 years ago
The black panther is so stunning. 😻 The jungle is a truly wonderful part of nature. 🌲🌳🌿🍃🍂
John Otruba 4 years ago
Amazing that in all but a couple long distance shots, the panther was aware of, and looking at camera(if not actual photographer)
Mishte Tine 4 years ago (edited)
Are all you folks too young to know who Bagheera is/was? In my day... he was my granddad. The voice, accent, personality - identical. Well, my Granddad was a wee bit more cheerful. The acerbic British accent - on point. My grandpa read Kipling aloud to my mother as a child. It made an impression. She fell in love with elephants. Please read aloud to your kids every day. Read Shakespeare, Schopenhauer, Ferlinghetti, Buck, Chaucer, Achebe, Klee, USA Today, the toothpaste tube, ... read, read read - stuff kids get scared of - before they’re intimidated by it. They will absorb , if not understand and it won’t be as daunting later on, if at all! Leave books everywhere in your house. Everywhere. It helps if there are pictures. Physical books. I found that leaving books in the bathroom really worked. My youngest asked me to read sonnets for bedtime. She got death/sorrow and love and... that’s kinda all one needs to know. I was amazed. I miss the Jungle book movie. I miss my mom. Thanks, Mom, for giving me a love of books and passing it on... I miss you.
Unfortunate beauty? 4 years ago
Thank you for this, I'm an 11 year old and I get truly mad at my cousins when they ditch reading for the summertime. I love reading and have been one of the top of my class every year, I've tried encouraging my friends to read but they just don't want to (except one friend who reads more than anyone I know). It really does start with the parent or guardian to tell them stories and read a book once in a while and as fun as reading aloud before the kid goes to bed try to pick a short story book or one that the kid has already read because if your reading a book that has a lot of details then the kid who is most likely sleepy might not be able to follow along much. Again thank you again and the last part was for other parents.
Load More Replies...
tuzdayschild 4 years ago
Big cats are so beautiful and graceful. I could have looked at a thousand more of these pics.
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
Beautiful! It's just my opinion but big cats, especially black panthers may be natures most attractive animal. Except lions. Lions can be kinda scruffy sometimes.
Unfortunate beauty? 4 years ago
My favorite animal has been a black panther for awhile but these photos showed just how magnificent and beautiful they are.
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago (edited)
How beautiful animals are deer, no praises for those unfortunate creatures?
Caroline Driver 4 years ago
Wondering if it's 2 different panthers or did the one get a scar on his nose during the span of the photographs
Rachael Page 4 years ago
These are the best photos I can ever remember seeing. Stunning in every way
Bill Luton 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your work. Beautiful captures of settings and mood.
Mina Sommerville 4 years ago
Absolutely stunning and we can only hope these beautiful creatures are protected ...
Bettye McKee 4 years ago
These photographs are incredibly beautiful. The cats appear to be posing in some of them. Well done!
AzKhaleesi 4 years ago
I absolutely know that he would eat me, but I soooo want to cuddle him.... I think it would be worth being mauled....
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
And Shere Khan! (May not be the proper spelling. Just go watch the Jungle Book.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
Spectacular photographs- what a stunning and regal creature!
Sheila Conville 4 years ago
There pictures are beautiful what a magnificent animal! How many Panthers are in the wild?
Elena N.Akasha 4 years ago
im gobsmacked & overwhelmed ...such beauty....may they be safe from human harm.
Eve 4 years ago
I will never understand, how people are able to kill these wonderful creatures. :(
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago
Many wonderful creatures are dying in unimaginable agony in the slaughterhouses. 300 of them every second!! I will never understand that.
Load More Replies...
Tiberiu Chis 4 years ago
if we are in the Indian jungle why is there a photo of a lion?! lions belong to Africa, tigers belong to Asia ... this may be in the jungle but in a sanctuary for rescued animals? anyway, great photos!
Jessica Bertram 4 years ago
asiatic lions still live in some protected areas of the indian subcontinent.
Load More Replies...
Elisabeth Moriarty 4 years ago
I loved every single picture at the moment my Bengal is on my shoulder he climbs down my arm just like these big guys I know he would eat me if he could but he's to nice of a good cat )0(
Nicole Bowman 4 years ago
Some of these would be AMAZING as a wall mural poster-you know those whole wall posters!
David Kohn 4 years ago
i have one thing to say..............................................WAKANDA FOREVER
Barbara Vandewalle 4 years ago
Interesting as to how he looks directly into the camera. He knows
Matt Emmett 4 years ago
Could you tell me how to include multiple social links in the 'Add a link' section? Thanks in advance.
Bill Luton 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your work, beautiful images, and range of captured mood.
Isa 4 years ago
Difficult to photographer? I beg to differ...I got pics all the time.... 549232_102...e1c669.jpg 
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
Go watch the Jungle Book on youtube, 1967 pre-digital animation. . Search for DisneyElephant. It’s in 24 sections but so worth it. I wish we could get this quality back. The movement... brilliant. Hand drawn - maybe remastered but the movement I aces. I was about 5 when this came out. The quality is so superior. It’s a Dis ney piece, so, you just have to get through Dis ney ads every few minutes. It’s so worth it. If you love good animation.
Toast Of Saint Louis 4 years ago
I have a panther at home but he's a bit smaller and not so dangerous.
LOttawa 4 years ago
Mine is sleeping on the back rest of the couch leaning on my shoulders... Not what I would call threatening lolll
Load More Replies... Rainbow Panda 4 years ago
The black panther is so stunning. 😻 The jungle is a truly wonderful part of nature. 🌲🌳🌿🍃🍂
John Otruba 4 years ago
Amazing that in all but a couple long distance shots, the panther was aware of, and looking at camera(if not actual photographer)
Mishte Tine 4 years ago (edited)
Are all you folks too young to know who Bagheera is/was? In my day... he was my granddad. The voice, accent, personality - identical. Well, my Granddad was a wee bit more cheerful. The acerbic British accent - on point. My grandpa read Kipling aloud to my mother as a child. It made an impression. She fell in love with elephants. Please read aloud to your kids every day. Read Shakespeare, Schopenhauer, Ferlinghetti, Buck, Chaucer, Achebe, Klee, USA Today, the toothpaste tube, ... read, read read - stuff kids get scared of - before they’re intimidated by it. They will absorb , if not understand and it won’t be as daunting later on, if at all! Leave books everywhere in your house. Everywhere. It helps if there are pictures. Physical books. I found that leaving books in the bathroom really worked. My youngest asked me to read sonnets for bedtime. She got death/sorrow and love and... that’s kinda all one needs to know. I was amazed. I miss the Jungle book movie. I miss my mom. Thanks, Mom, for giving me a love of books and passing it on... I miss you.
Unfortunate beauty? 4 years ago
Thank you for this, I'm an 11 year old and I get truly mad at my cousins when they ditch reading for the summertime. I love reading and have been one of the top of my class every year, I've tried encouraging my friends to read but they just don't want to (except one friend who reads more than anyone I know). It really does start with the parent or guardian to tell them stories and read a book once in a while and as fun as reading aloud before the kid goes to bed try to pick a short story book or one that the kid has already read because if your reading a book that has a lot of details then the kid who is most likely sleepy might not be able to follow along much. Again thank you again and the last part was for other parents.
Load More Replies... tuzdayschild 4 years ago
Big cats are so beautiful and graceful. I could have looked at a thousand more of these pics.
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
Beautiful! It's just my opinion but big cats, especially black panthers may be natures most attractive animal. Except lions. Lions can be kinda scruffy sometimes.
Unfortunate beauty? 4 years ago
My favorite animal has been a black panther for awhile but these photos showed just how magnificent and beautiful they are.
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago (edited)
How beautiful animals are deer, no praises for those unfortunate creatures?
Caroline Driver 4 years ago
Wondering if it's 2 different panthers or did the one get a scar on his nose during the span of the photographs
Rachael Page 4 years ago
These are the best photos I can ever remember seeing. Stunning in every way
Bill Luton 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your work. Beautiful captures of settings and mood.
Mina Sommerville 4 years ago
Absolutely stunning and we can only hope these beautiful creatures are protected ...
Bettye McKee 4 years ago
These photographs are incredibly beautiful. The cats appear to be posing in some of them. Well done!
AzKhaleesi 4 years ago
I absolutely know that he would eat me, but I soooo want to cuddle him.... I think it would be worth being mauled....
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
And Shere Khan! (May not be the proper spelling. Just go watch the Jungle Book.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
Spectacular photographs- what a stunning and regal creature!
Sheila Conville 4 years ago
There pictures are beautiful what a magnificent animal! How many Panthers are in the wild?
Elena N.Akasha 4 years ago
im gobsmacked & overwhelmed ...such beauty....may they be safe from human harm.
Eve 4 years ago
I will never understand, how people are able to kill these wonderful creatures. :(
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago
Many wonderful creatures are dying in unimaginable agony in the slaughterhouses. 300 of them every second!! I will never understand that.
Load More Replies... Tiberiu Chis 4 years ago
if we are in the Indian jungle why is there a photo of a lion?! lions belong to Africa, tigers belong to Asia ... this may be in the jungle but in a sanctuary for rescued animals? anyway, great photos!
Jessica Bertram 4 years ago
asiatic lions still live in some protected areas of the indian subcontinent.
Load More Replies... Elisabeth Moriarty 4 years ago
I loved every single picture at the moment my Bengal is on my shoulder he climbs down my arm just like these big guys I know he would eat me if he could but he's to nice of a good cat )0(
Nicole Bowman 4 years ago
Some of these would be AMAZING as a wall mural poster-you know those whole wall posters!
David Kohn 4 years ago
i have one thing to say..............................................WAKANDA FOREVER
Barbara Vandewalle 4 years ago
Interesting as to how he looks directly into the camera. He knows
Matt Emmett 4 years ago
Could you tell me how to include multiple social links in the 'Add a link' section? Thanks in advance.
Bill Luton 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your work, beautiful images, and range of captured mood.
Isa 4 years ago
Difficult to photographer? I beg to differ...I got pics all the time.... 549232_102...e1c669.jpg
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
Go watch the Jungle Book on youtube, 1967 pre-digital animation. . Search for DisneyElephant. It’s in 24 sections but so worth it. I wish we could get this quality back. The movement... brilliant. Hand drawn - maybe remastered but the movement I aces. I was about 5 when this came out. The quality is so superior. It’s a Dis ney piece, so, you just have to get through Dis ney ads every few minutes. It’s so worth it. If you love good animation.
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