NEW DELHI: Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Parveen Kaswan recently shared a video of a rare black panther strolling is lush greenery of north Bengal.
“This black panther from North Bengal. Bagheera of Kurseong. What a beauty,” Kaswan wrote in a social media post, likening the elusive creature to the iconic character from The Jungle Book.
The video, which showcases the majestic animal strolling gracefully through the dense forest, quickly gained traction.
The black panther, often described as a shadow in the wild, is not a separate species but a variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus).
In a subsequent post, Kaswan elaborated on the science behind their striking appearance. “These animals appear black due to a genetic condition called melanism, which results in excess dark pigmentation. Despite their dark coats, their characteristic leopard rosettes are often visible under certain lighting conditions,” he said.
Black panthers are primarily found in the dense, tropical forests of Karnataka’s Kabini region, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and parts of the Northeast. Their solitary and elusive nature makes sightings an exceptionally rare occurrence, adding to their mystique. North Bengal’s forests, now revealed as a habitat for this elusive predator, have once again highlighted the region’s ecological significance.
Beyond their beauty, black panthers play a vital role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems as apex predators. However, they face significant threats from habitat loss and poaching, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival.