Rare Encounter: Leopard Cub Roam Free Inside SSB Camp in Malbazar

Nilotpal Sen (TNI)

Webdesk, TNI Malbazar, 05^th January, 2024: In an unusual turn of events, security personnel at the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp within Dooars Meteli Block were surprised to find a leopard cub freely roaming within the camp premises on Friday afternoon. The 46th battalion of the SSB, stationed at the camp adjacent to Malbazar town, was taken aback when they discovered a mother leopard and her cub, believed to be the same leopard that had eluded capture for the past few days in the nearby Salbari region.

Authorities suspect that the leopard cub had been sheltering within the camp for several days, evading the efforts to capture it. Upon receiving the news, the forestry department’s Khunia Squad officials immediately rushed to the scene. Interestingly, rather than opting for a rescue mission, the forest officials decided to keep a watchful eye on the leopard cub without initiating a rescue operation.

Later the forest sources revealed that it is a common occurrence for leopard cubs to return to their mothers during the night. If the cub does not return to the mother, a rescue operation will be undertaken to ensure the well-being of the young leopard.

In a similar incident in India, on December 18, 2023, in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal, forest officials successfully rescued a leopard cub that had strayed into a residential area. The cub was later reunited with its mother, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in such situations.

Photo: SSB Dooars Meteli Block