Kenyans dismiss first time in 100 years sighting of black leopard

Kenyans dismiss first time in 100 years sighting of black leopard

Kenyans on social media have expressed outrage at reporting by international media about the sighting of a ‘black leopard’ in Laikipia for the first time in 100 years.

According to the media outlets, British photographer Will Burrad-Lucas captured the animal in its element at the Laikipia Wilderness Camp last month.

Kenyans, however, say the animal – or, at least, similar ones — have lived in the area for years and have even been photographed previously.

Taking to Facebook, conservationist Mordecai Ogada stated that he and his colleagues spotted a similar animal in Ol Maalo, Laikipia, during his Masters Studies research in early 2001.

An article published by the Daily Nation further added that one of their former photographers, Phoebe Okall, spotted and captured on camera a black leopard at the Ol-Jogi Game Reserve in Laikipia on August 27, 2013.

These, among other sightings reported by Kenyans on social media, have elicited mixed reactions on why the previous documentations of the rare animal were not taken seriously.

The uproar has also stirred a racial debate on whether an invention is ever only considered tangible enough for reporting by international media if it is made by a foreigner as opposed to a native.

Below are some of the reactions by Kenyans on the reporting:

— Robert Nagila (@Rnagila) February 13, 2019

— Ory Okolloh Mwangi (@kenyanpundit) February 13, 2019

— Pothead (@Lunar_stoner) February 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/carolinekere/status/1095600349153497088

https://twitter.com/KResearcher/status/1095658444319850496

— Caroline Kere (@carolinekere) February 13, 2019

— Edward Paice (@EdPaiceARI) February 12, 2019

— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) February 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/carolinekere/status/1095597112522346496

— Jeff Nyambogah (@jnyambogas) February 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Kiyaavic/status/1095547536616706048

— Senator031 (@Antony_warui) February 13, 2019

— Brian Siambi™ (@UrbanSkript) February 13, 2019

Tags:

black leopard International media Ol-Jogi Game Reserve Photographer Will Burrad-Lucas

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