Scientists have discovered a new technique to distinguish Malay black leopards from other species by revealing the distinct spot pattern under their black, silky coats. The discovery may be the key to saving the endangered species.

For researchers, these big cats become increasingly hard to detect when it comes to identifying them since their jet black coats are all identical with other individuals. Now, scientists have found out that spotted patterns lie beneath that black fur, similar to all the other leopards that can distinguish them from each other. 

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This special technique involves a simple trick with cameras especially in wildlife camera traps where scientists were able to reveal those spots. According to Gopalasamy Reuben Clements from the James Cook University in Australia, these automatic cameras also have infrared flash however, this can only be activated at night.

When the camera's light sensor is blocked, the camera is fooled into thinking that it's nighttime even during daylight, where it now flashes every time, capturing the leopards, explains the Huffington Post. Researchers explain this technique further when the photos are taken via this infrared flash, as the hidden spot patterns are now revealed since the infrared wavelengths give the black coat a less opaque visual quality to it.  

Since the black leopards can be identified as individuals using this method, the scientists can now conduct estimates of the population numbers of the endangered species to track them further, reveals Live Science.

Clements adds that this can allow the team to examine them and monitor them over time which is pivotal for their conservation. With this camera method, the researchers have now identified 94 percent of the animals who are photographed by these camera traps.

Tracking the individual black leopards in Malaysia can also become a crucial step in the prevention of poaching, according to Popular Science. Wildlife trafficking usually involves skin and body parts of leopards that are traded between the Myanmar and China border, researchers say. This tracking can also offer protection from human interference.

According to lead author of the study Laurie Hedges, who is a zoologist from the University of Nottingham in England, by understanding how leopards are being treated, this new approach can become a crucial step in saving these endangered animals.

Malaysian all-black leopards are also very rare because their carbon black coating makes them very unique.

This study is published in the Journal of Wildlife Management.

Tagsblack leopards, leopards, Malaysia, black leopards spots, camera trick black leopards spots