A black melanistic leopard cub was recently spotted alongside a female leopard and another cub on the Mungpoo–Pubong road, near the eastern edge of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary in the Darjeeling hills. The unusual sighting has caught the attention of locals and wildlife enthusiasts, while also serving as a reminder to give these elusive animals plenty of space and avoid disturbing them.
What Exactly Had Happened?
A passer-by reportedly spotted the female leopard with two cubs on the Mungpoo–Pubong road, after which a video showing one apparently black cub circulated on social media.
- The black cub is described as melanistic, meaning it is a dark-coloured variant of the common leopard, rather than a separate species. Such animals are often popularly called “black panthers.”
- Darjeeling Wildlife Division DFO Deepak M. said steps were being taken to ensure the cub remains in its natural habitat without disturbance.
Residents described the sighting as possibly the first in decades around the Senchal forest area, but the DFO did not confirm that claim.
Why the Sighting Matters?
- Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is home to leopards, with the Darjeeling district administration officially listing the Indian leopard among the wildlife found in the sanctuary.
- Melanistic leopards have been spotted in other parts of the Darjeeling hills too, including around Dow Hill, Bagora and Singalila. So, while the latest sighting is unusual, it is not the first record of a black leopard in the wider region.
- The forest department has urged people to keep their distance. Residents, motorists and visitors should not approach, chase or surround the animals, or use bright lights and loud noises to get photographs or videos.
- The sighting is also a reminder that leopards continue to move through forested areas close to roads and settlements in Darjeeling. Giving them space and avoiding unnecessary disturbance is important for both wildlife and people.
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