‘Bagheera’ leaps out of Mowgli’s tale, seen in Assam’s wild

Guwahati: Until now, ‘Bagheera’ belonged to the pages of Mowgli’s tale — a shadow that slipped through the jungle unseen. But on Monday, the legend came alive in Assam.In a rare and breathtaking moment, a black panther — the real Bagheera — was captured for the first time on a camera trap at Dulung Reserve Forest in Lakhimpur district, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.“A rare and remarkable sighting for Assam’s wildlife. For the first time, a Black Panther has been captured on a camera trap in Lakhimpur’s Dulung Reserve Forest,” chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday on X.The CM added, “The presence of this elusive predator highlights the ecological significance of our reserve forests and reflects the success of sustained conservation efforts in protecting Assam’s wildlife habitats.”The black panther is not a separate species but a melanistic variant of the leopard (Panthera pardus). Its jet‑black coat, caused by excess melanin, makes it one of the most elusive predators in the wild. Globally, sightings are extremely rare, with India’s forests in Karnataka, Kerala, and Assam offering occasional glimpses.Wildlife experts say the presence of this predator underscores the ecological significance of Assam’s reserve forests, which serve as critical habitats for big cats, elephants, and other endangered species. The sighting also reflects the success of conservation efforts, including habitat protection and camera trap monitoring, that have strengthened wildlife management in the state.The Dulung Reserve Forest, part of the Assam-Arunachal biodiversity corridor, is now expected to draw attention from researchers and conservationists eager to study the movement and survival of this rare predator in the northeast.