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Journalism of Courage
IFS officer Parveen Kaswan thrilled wildlife enthusiasts by sharing a video of a majestic black panther from North Bengal on X. In his post, he referred to the animal as “Bagheera of Kurseong” and described it as a true beauty. The video captured the panther gracefully strolling through a forest while awestruck tourists documented the rare sight.
Watch the video:
In a follow-up detailed post, Kaswan said, “In India, a black panther is a melanistic variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus). These animals appear black due to melanism, which results in excess dark pigmentation. Despite their dark coats, their characteristic leopard rosettes are often visible under certain lighting conditions.”
Kaswan went on to describe the habitats of these mesmerising creatures, emphasising their preference for the dense tropical forests of Karnataka’s Kabini, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and parts of Northeast India.
Known for their solitary and elusive nature, black panthers are rarely spotted in the wild, making each encounter a remarkable experience, as per Kaswan’s post. “As top predators, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. Conservation efforts are vital for their survival, as they face threats like habitat loss and poaching,” he wrote on X.
Reacting to the post, one X user wrote, “There is something quite majestic about the black panther, thank you for sharing Parveen.”
Another user wrote, “Wow. That’s what you call a dream sighting.” A third user commented, “Kurseong is beautiful. Had the pleasure of visiting in 2024.”
