The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) Assam on July 4 shared a rare sighting of a melanistic black panther from Manas National Park, describing the elusive animal as the “Ghost Rider at Manas” in a post on X.
Accompanied by striking visuals of the rarely seen big cat, the post highlighted the exceptional biodiversity of Manas National Park, which is regarded as one of India’s most remarkable wildlife habitats.
“The Ghost Rider at Manas!… where the elusive melanistic black panther quietly steals the show. A rare glimpse into the wild that reminds us why Manas remains one of India’s most extraordinary forests,” the CMO said in its post.
The sighting of the melanistic black panther, often called the “ghost of the forest” because of its secretive behaviour and rarity, attracted widespread appreciation from wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
The CMO also used the occasion to emphasise the rich wildlife heritage of Manas National Park, reaffirming the Assam government’s commitment to conserving the state’s unique biodiversity while promoting eco-tourism as a key component of sustainable development.
