Traditionally considered elusive and difficult to spot, black leopards are referred to as 'melanistic leopards'. Despite being a very rare wild cat, they are now being reported more frequently in high-rainfall regions such as Tilari, Radhanagari, and parts of the Ratnagiri district

The National Tiger Conservation Authority has asked Maharashtra to justify its proposal to exclude several villages from the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. Environmentalists warn the move could weaken protections and threaten key wildlife corridors