Can you spot the leopard?

We promise you it's in this picture somewhere! How big cats use their camouflage to disappear into the background and hide in plain sight in India

• Big cat conservationist spent months documenting the lives of 21 leopards in Rajahstan, India
• Adam Bannister found that the leopards could move close to human settlements due to their camouflage

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 22 June 2014 |

Leopards are considered one of the deadliest predators in India thanks to their amazing ability to blend into the background before launching a surprise attack on its victims. These images show the true extent of their camouflage, almost disappearing into the surrounding nature in a leopard camp in India.

Big cat conservationist Adam Bannister spent several months documenting the lives of 21 leopards for a a research project at the Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp in Rajasthan, and found that they often move very close to human settlements due to their ability to hide in plain sight.

Can you see it: A leopard spotted in the Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp, Rajasthan, India managed to nearly completely disappear into its surroundings

Found it!: The leopard from the top picture has been circled - hiding at the foot of a rock among the dry grass

 

He said: ‘Leopards are responsible for numerous deaths in India, so when I heard about a village where people and leopards lived such in close quarters without incident, I had to see it for myself. ‘I have worked with the big cats in three continents, and experienced human-wildlife conflict first-hand and this area is truly unique in terms of how humans and leopards co-exist. ‘They see them more in a spiritual context. And there are still many more leopards out there - I'm sure of it.’

An easier one: The white markings on the tail of this leopard makes it less of a hassle to spot

Another tough one: The big cats are ambush hunters and rely on their patterns to be able to blend into the background and surprise their prey

Tiny cat: The leopard in this picture is easier to locate as it is silhouetted against the grey sky

Double trouble: Not one, but two leopards can bee seen roaming on the rocks in this photograph from Rajasthan, India

Peekaboo: The leopards' amazing camouflage is not just useful for hunting squirrels as in this picture, but provides necessary cover against their natural predator - man

Spot the cat: These images were captured by big cat conservationist Adam Bannister during a research project at the Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp in Rajasthan, India

Big project: Mr Bannister spent several several months documenting 21 leopards surrounding the village in Rajasthan

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