Royal Bengal tiger cub spotted near Gangtok

Royal Bengal tiger cub spotted near Gangtok

GANGTOK,: In a rare and thrilling development for wildlife enthusiasts, a
Royal Bengal tiger cub was spotted in the forests of Chongay, located in the Shyari
constituency, approximately 8 km from Gangtok town. The sighting occurred Tuesday
afternoon when a student, returning home from school, unexpectedly encountered
the young cub near the forest edge.

Reacting
swiftly, the student photographed the cub and immediately shared the image with
his father, who then alerted local authorities. Area MLA-cum-Advisor, Forest department, Tenzing
Norbu Lamtha, promptly arrived at the site along with Forest officials to
conduct a rescue assessment. However, by the time the team reached the forest
area, the cub had already slipped deeper into the undergrowth.

Efforts
were also made to trace the cub and further confirm its presence on Wednesday
but the cub could not be sighted.

When
contacted by SIKKIM EXPRESS, the Shyari MLA said he was informed about the
sighting of the tiger cub on Tuesday. “There was a report of tiger cub sighting
in Chongay but we could not trace it upon reaching the spot. We located the
tree where the cub’s photo was taken but we could not find any other traces,”
he said.

The
Forest authorities were informed the same day who immediately rushed to the
spot for further investigation and necessary action. Local residents were also
put on alert by the area MLA and Forest authorities following the tiger cub
sighting.

The
sighting took place within the Eastern Himalayan Subtropical Broadleaf
Forest, a rich, moist ecosystem dominated by oak, bamboo, and evergreen
vegetation. This habitat is known for its abundant prey base, making it
suitable for supporting apex predators such as the Royal Bengal tiger.

According
to local accounts, the tiger cub appeared healthy, curious, and alert.
Witnesses reported that it briefly observed the passerby before disappearing
into the dense vegetation. The encounter has sparked widespread excitement
among residents and wildlife officials, particularly given the rarity of tiger
sightings in this part of Sikkim.

This
incident marks the most recent tiger sighting in Sikkim, following the
documented presence of a Royal Bengal tiger in May 2024, when camera traps
captured photographs of an adult tiger in a reserve forest, approximately 25 km
from Gangtok. That earlier discovery had prompted discussions about potential
tiger movement corridors and the possibility of expanding habitats across
Sikkim’s eastern ranges.

In
response to the new sighting, Forest authorities have initiated an immediate investigation.

The
presence of a cub also suggests that a female tiger may be nearby – a promising
indicator of possible breeding activity, which would be a significant milestone
for conservation efforts in the region.

Residents
have been advised to remain vigilant while traversing forested areas and to
report any further wildlife sightings. Conservationists, meanwhile, view this
development as an encouraging sign of improving ecological health and increased
wildlife movement within Sikkim’s diverse natural landscapes.