The Forests of India do not reveal their big cats easily. As the minutes stretch into hours, the silence itself becomes part of the experience, interrupted only by birdsong, rustling leaves, and the calls of unseen creatures. Then suddenly, in a fleeting moment, leopard appears, almost like a phantom, moving or prowling with effortless grace before melting back into the wilderness as though it had never been there. The encounter may last only a few seconds, but the surge of excitement and awe lingers long after. It is a rare privilege to catch a glimpse of a tiger or leopard, while one is surrounded by silence, which suddenly breaks and that makes the whole experience, so unforgettable.
One such surreal experience was captured by Dr. Prasad J Kamath, which we are are sharing with our readers.
– CLN Newsdesk
For just 13 seconds, Kanha’s forest revealed one of its best-kept secrets—a leopard sprinting across the road before disappearing into the Sal forest.
Some moments in the wild last only a few heartbeats, but stay with us forever.
Watch this rare encounter from the Kisli Zone of Kanha National Park.
© Dr Prasad J. Kamath, Gynaecologist; Endoscopic Surgeon. A Nature Enthusiast by passion.
The Silent Earth Stories attempts to capture such unique experiences which can seldom be anticipated. The series will cover many such events, which I hope to share in the future.
Beautifully written. It brought back one of the most unforgettable moments of my childhood.
I was about 11 years old, travelling through the forests of Mudumalai with my father and a Forest Ranger in an open jeep. For what seemed like hours, there was only silence—the kind of silence that belongs only to an ancient forest. Then, without warning, a leopard emerged from the shadows on our right, crossed the road in a single effortless leap, and disappeared into the jungle on the other side.
It lasted no more than two or three seconds, but I can still see it vividly more than fifty years later—a flash of gold, yellow and black, pure muscle and grace. It wasn’t merely a sighting; it was a privilege. Some moments in nature become permanent memories, and that magical encounter has stayed with me all my life.
Thank you, Dr. Prasad J. Kamath, for bringing those memories rushing back.