For the first time ever in India, a leopard with two different coloured eyes photographed in Bandipur Tiger Reserve by photographer Dhruv Patil.
Here are some of his thoughts:
I began exploring Bandipur over the last four years and after years of observation, the leopards of Bandipur began to intrigue me, after having some incredible sightings over the last few years so I decided to focus on some leopard individuals from Bandipur. I had visited the park several years before but never spent enough time there. Additionally, owing to my exposure to such incredible thought leaders, I am – now more than ever – inclined towards bringing a positive change at a policy level, with a greater emphasis on conservational policies for wildlife to reduce the increasing conflict between humankind and wildlife in the state.
Hailing from North Karnataka, I also realise the urgent need for a robust wildlife conservation strategy, and I hope to be a representative of the same.
At the same time, while monsoons may produce beautiful pictures of the wildlife – carrying and caring for our photography equipment becomes all the more difficult to manage, while also having to make sure that the grounds are sturdy. Photography during this season, therefore becomes a challenging yet rewarding experience for photographers. I believe that Bandipur and Kabini jungles make for incredible wildlife photography spots, where it is not just about the subject but also the landscape and the habitat.
The jungles therefore provide an excellent opportunity to capture wildlife in their natural habitat, and allow the photographers to observe behavioural patterns in big cats like tigers and leopards – further facilitating us to narrate a deep, insightful story through our pictures. I have always wanted to research and add to the plethora of research on how leopard behaviour changes with these small differences, such as territorial features, melanism, or heterochromia.
I think it definitely is the right place and right time. The key for me is always not just the subject but the landscape and the habitat. Bandipur and Kabini both provide stunning opportunities with some stunning trees and landscapes to photograph wildlife in. It’s not just the tigers and leopards but any animal in good light and in a good landscape that can make the best shots
My philosophy is to always learn about the individuals, the tigers, the leopards, the dhole packs, they each have incredible stories and each have incredible individualistic behaviour which you can photograph and narrate a story with. The best is to ask your driver or naturalist or safari with me to explore Bandipur and Kabini!
Read the full story that first appeared in Condenast Traveller here:
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