Indian forest officer successfully photographs a black panther, delighting netizens who are reminded of ‘Bagheera’ from Jungle Book
Indian forest officer successfully photographs a black panther, delighting netizens who are reminded of 'Bagheera’ from Jungle Book
The majestic feline was filmed in the Kurseong forest of West Bengal.
A video featuring a rare black panther, posted by a forest officer, has gained significant attention on social media, igniting extensive conversations among users. The majestic feline was filmed in the Kurseong forest of West Bengal.
Its stunning presence in the natural environment has led many to affectionately refer to it as ‘Bagheera,’ inspired by the mysterious character from Rudyard Kipling’s renowned work, “The Jungle Book.”
The footage of the animal was posted by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan on X (formerly Twitter), captivating thousands of viewers. The brief clip depicts the creature walking along a road, stopping in the foliage, displaying a hint of agitation when it notices an approaching vehicle, and then vanishing back into the forest. He accompanied the video with the caption, “This black Panther from North Bengal. Bagheera of Kurseong. What a beauty.”
This black Panther from North Bengal. Bagheera of Kurseong. What a beauty. pic.twitter.com/BHzFLeUf4T
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) January 24, 2025
Kaswan elaborated on the animal in additional notes, stating that black panthers are found in the forests of Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and certain regions of Northeast India. He highlighted their essential function as apex predators in preserving the equilibrium of their ecosystems.
Social media users commended the forest officer’s unique find, with numerous individuals expressing gratitude to Kaswan for posting the video on X.
Black Panther’s solitary and secretive behavior makes encounters with them extremely rare, enhancing their enigmatic allure. The forests of North Bengal have recently been identified as another habitat for this elusive predator, underscoring the ecological importance of the area.
In addition to their striking appearance, black panthers are essential for maintaining the ecological balance as apex predators. Unfortunately, they are under significant threat from habitat destruction and poaching, which makes conservation initiatives vital for their continued existence.
